BANGKOK: Sarawak will channel carbon, oil and gas revenue into free tertiary education and human capital development to raise household incomes.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak had already achieved high-income economy recognition in 2022, and the next phase of development is to ensure that economic wealth translates into higher household incomes and better quality of life.
Speaking during a fireside chat or informal conversation after the Ministerial Panels and Roundtables at Gastech 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) yesterday (Sept 14), he said the state’s long-term strategy is to invest resource wealth in education, technology and innovation.
“We are now a high-income state. The challenge is no longer GDP alone, but how we increase household income through knowledge and technology,” he said.
Abang Johari said revenue derived from carbon initiatives, together with returns from the oil and gas sector, would be reinvested into making education accessible for Sarawakians, particularly through free tertiary education at Sarawak-owned universities.
He said developing a highly skilled workforce is essential for preparing young Sarawakians for emerging industries, including clean energy, advanced manufacturing and the digital economy.
Beyond education, the Premier highlighted innovation as a key driver of future prosperity, particularly in strengthening food security.
He revealed that Sarawak is supporting research into perennial rice varieties capable of being cultivated for up to five years from a single planting, a breakthrough that could significantly reduce production costs while improving yields and sustainability.
“This is the kind of innovation we must pursue. Technology must solve real problems, from food production to improving people’s livelihoods,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed that Sarawak’s natural resources should not merely generate revenue, but serve as catalysts for building long-term wealth through investment in human capital and scientific research.
He said the state’s economic transformation is guided by the principle of converting resource-based income into sustainable opportunities, ensuring future generations benefit from today’s energy and environmental assets.
The Premier is in Bangkok for a two-day working visit to participate in Gastech 2026, where global energy leaders, ministers and industry executives are discussing the future of energy security, decarbonisation and technological innovation.
