KUCHING: Sarawak must keep pace with emerging technologies to detect and defend against cyber threats, making investment in research and talent development essential to securing its digital future.
In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the fast-changing global landscape demands continuous investment in innovation, cybersecurity and advanced skills, especially as data becomes a strategic asset in the digital economy.
“We have to do a lot of research. That’s why Sarawak takes the proactive part to train our children in university. We give them free education, in order for them to learn the latest technology and in order for us to prepare ourselves.
“I’m sure there will be technology to protect technology,” he said in his keynote address at the Protect Sarawak 2026, International Conference on Data Privacy & Digital Trust here today (April 29).
With stronger protection systems and new technological capabilities, he said Sarawak would be in a stronger position to build a clean, trusted and resilient digital economy.
He also emphasised on trust, integrity and strong technological safeguards that must go hand in hand to ensure digital advancements are used responsibly and do not threaten society,
“The question of trust is important. A human being is a human. Some can be trusted, some cannot be trusted. It depends on how you carry yourself,” he said.
When met by reporters later, Abang Johari said legal frameworks such as cyber laws are already in place to regulate data systems and protect information.
“But, you cannot have absolute 100 per cent. So it depends on the technology. You will need our own technology to insulate, or what they call encrypted data, to protect your data.
“We are very much dependent on technology because there are also technologies that can break your effort to protect the data. So it has to be technology-to-technology,” he said.
Abang Johari added that scientists and researchers would play a key role in strengthening digital defences, including through new systems such as AI Grid, whereby computing power and processor capability determine the speed and effectiveness of protection measures.
