KUCHING: Sarawak has set its focus on four sectors, namely semiconductors, aerospace, human capital and renewable energy, as it charts the next phase of its economic direction starting in 2026.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state was now shifting its focus to long-term economic planning, noting that hydrogen development was largely in place and attention must turn to what Sarawak’s economy would look like in the next decade.
He said semiconductors would be the first pillar of the new economy, pointing out that modern life was increasingly dependent on chips used in mobile phones, vehicles, satellites and healthcare technology.
“We are now in 2026. Hydrogen is already in place. The question now is the direction of our economy towards 2030 and what comes next.
“Life today is controlled by chips, and they are becoming more expensive.
“This is the first pillar of the new economy because almost everything depends on chips — from mobile phones and satellites to cars and healthcare,” he said at the townhall with the Premier, organised by TVS in conjunction with his ninth anniversary in office, held at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today (Jan 13).
Abang Johari said the Sarawak government had established Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) to support this shift, including the development of a research laboratory in Cardiff, the United Kingdom, focused on chip design.
He said Sarawakian scientists had successfully designed a new artificial intelligence-powered chip overseas, adding that securing intellectual property would position the state as a global player in the semiconductor industry.
“Once we have our own IP, Sarawak can become a world player in chips,” he said.
The second pillar, he said, was aerospace, stressing the importance of building knowledge in space-related technologies as data transmission increasingly relied on satellite systems.
He said understanding space-based infrastructure was critical in a digital economy, particularly as cloud-based services continued to expand.
Abang Johari identified human capital as the third pillar, saying the development of a knowledge-driven workforce was essential to support the new economy, which underpinned the state’s decision to provide free tertiary education for eligible Sarawakians.
The fourth pillar, he said, was renewable and green energy, which would continue to play a central role in Sarawak’s long-term development strategy.
“If we focus on these four areas, Sarawak can play its role in helping Malaysia become a very developed nation,” he said.
