COVERING Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s function at the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (APACE) 2026 this week, I found myself thinking less about individual announcements and more about the direction Sarawak is deliberately steering towards.
Aerospace may sound technical and distant to some, but to me it stood out as one of the clearest signals yet of how the state views its economic future in an increasingly competitive and uncertain global landscape.
I will admit that aerospace is not a sector I once associated closely with Sarawak.
Historically, our economic strengths have been framed around resources, energy and infrastructure.
Yet listening to the way aerospace was discussed, not as a standalone industry but as part of a broader ecosystem, I realised this was no longer about ambition alone.
It was about repositioning.
What struck me most was the consistency of messaging.
Aerospace was linked to talent development, advanced manufacturing, digitalisation and sustainability.
This matters because industries of this nature do not succeed through piecemeal efforts.
They require coordination, long-term planning and an acceptance that results will not be immediate.
From my perspective, that patience signals maturity in policymaking.
As someone who regularly reports on development issues, I am often cautious when new “high-value” sectors are introduced into the public narrative.
There is always a risk of overpromising or losing sight of on-the-ground realities.
But at this function, the tone was notably measured.
The focus was less on grand declarations and more on building capability: skills, standards, partnerships and institutional readiness.
Aerospace, by its very nature, sets a high bar.
It demands precision, safety, regulatory compliance and internationally recognised certifications.
Choosing to pursue this sector suggests Sarawak is prepared to hold itself to those standards.
In my view, that is significant.
It reflects confidence not just in infrastructure, but in governance, workforce potential and institutional strength.
I was particularly attentive to the emphasis on human capital.
It is easy to build facilities, but it is far harder to build expertise.
The repeated references to universities, technical institutions and industry collaboration resonated with me because they acknowledge a truth we often gloss over: economic transformation is ultimately about people.
Without skilled engineers, technicians, analysts and managers, aerospace remains a concept rather than an industry.
From what I observed, there is also an implicit understanding that talent retention will be as important as talent creation.
Sarawak cannot afford to train specialists only to see them leave.
Creating an ecosystem that offers meaningful careers, competitive remuneration and long-term stability will determine whether this strategy succeeds.
Another aspect that stayed with me was the linkage between aerospace and sustainability.
Aviation is frequently criticised for its environmental impact, yet it is also one of the sectors pushing innovation in efficiency and cleaner technology.
Positioning Sarawak within this space aligns with its broader green agenda and challenges the assumption that economic growth and environmental responsibility must exist in opposition.
Sarawak’s advantages – land availability, renewable energy potential and strategic geography – were not overstated, but they were clearly factored into the planning narrative.
To me, this suggests a more thoughtful approach: leveraging what the state already has, rather than forcing models that may not fit local realities.
There is also a perceptible shift in confidence.
In earlier years, discussions around new economic sectors often carried an air of caution, even defensiveness.
This time, the question seemed to be less about feasibility and more about execution.
That change in mindset is not accidental.
It is the result of years of groundwork in policy reform, fiscal management and clearer governance structures.
That said, aerospace leaves little room for error.
Regulatory readiness, safety oversight and global benchmarking are unforgiving.
The challenge ahead will be sustaining momentum without compromising standards, a balance that will test institutions and leadership alike.
For the average Sarawakian, aerospace may feel abstract.
Its benefits will not be immediately visible in daily life.
But over time, the ripple effects namely higher-skilled jobs, knowledge transfer, stronger innovation culture and economic resilience could reshape the state’s development trajectory in meaningful ways.
Walking away from the Premier’s function, my takeaway was not that Sarawak is chasing trends.
Rather, it appears to be choosing carefully where to place its bets.
Aerospace, in this context, is less about aircraft and more about capability, about signalling that Sarawak is prepared to compete in sectors where quality, credibility and long-term thinking matter.
If this approach holds, aerospace may well become one of the defining pillars of Sarawak’s new economy.
Not because it is glamorous, but because it demands the very qualities the state is now striving to institutionalise.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sarahhafizahchandra@gmail.com.
