KUCHING: Sarawak’s future competitiveness will depend not only on its natural resources and economic growth, but also on knowledge, technology and talent.
MBKS Councillor Eric Tay said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s forward looking policies in the digital economy, financial autonomy, modern agriculture and technology were helping the State move beyond traditional development models.
He said Sarawak’s growing revenue and progress in areas such as digital economy, finance and agricultural technology showed that the state government’s early planning and investment were producing tangible results.
“Sarawak today cannot be satisfied with traditional development models, but must actively embrace technology, knowledge, innovation and international cooperation.
“For a place to truly become modernised, having abundant natural resources is not enough. More importantly, we need people who are capable of harnessing knowledge and technology,” he said in a statement today (Aug 9).
Tay said Sarawak’s early digital transformation, including platforms such as Sarawak Pay, demonstrated the government’s forward thinking approach, while its multicultural society was another strength that could support greater international cooperation.
He said Sarawak already had the resources and conditions to expand into international markets, but needed to further strengthen the knowledge, professional capabilities and international competitiveness of its people.
On STEM education and modern agriculture, Tay said education and knowledge would be among Sarawak’s most important investments for the future.
He said the state could create greater economic value by combining its land, energy and natural resources with advanced technology, research and skilled talent.
“I have always believed that what can truly change a place is not only its resources, but knowledge,” he said.
Tay said Sarawak should continue combining its natural resource strengths with technology, research and international capital, citing perennial rice, advanced breeding technology, agricultural technology and the circular economy as examples.
“If we want the next generation of Sarawakians to compete on the international stage, we must start with education.
“We need to nurture not just students who are good at examinations, but people with knowledge, innovative abilities and an international outlook who can also solve real world problems,” he said.
Tay said Sarawak’s long term competitiveness would ultimately depend on whether its next generation possessed the knowledge, skills and confidence to compete internationally.
“Knowledge is the key to opening the door to the international community, talent is the core driver of Sarawak’s future development, while a united, harmonious and diverse Sarawak is the most important foundation for us to go out into the world,” he said.
