SIBU: The Sarawak Government has succeeded in attracting investments by exploring new fields to increase the state’s revenue.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said research and development of natural resources, including carbon trading, has created new economic resources that have the potential to double income.
“By practising an open economy, more business opportunities and quality jobs can be created.
“Therefore, young people need to improve their knowledge and skills to compete in the open economy,” he said in his speech read by the Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, during the launching of the state-level Education Expo.
The event, organised by Yayasan Sarawak, was held at Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) today.
“With the government’s emphasis on the green energy sector, youth must be ready to seize the job opportunities that will be created,” he added.
Abang Johari stressed that, in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, Sarawak is moving towards a prosperous economy based on data and innovation.
He explained that the PCDS 2030 Action and Implementation Plan (AIP) sets out development measures, including strengthening infrastructure, providing business and employment opportunities, and training the people to be more skilled and high-income earners.
Stating that Sarawak has a bright future with resources that have the potential to make it an economic powerhouse in Malaysia and the region, he said political stability and the unity of the people of different races and religions attract the interest of many investors.
Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), he said Sarawak has allocated RM63 billion for the first phase of PCDS 2030, and an efficient implementation plan is needed so that the project is implemented according to financing, time, and specifications, while utilising the value of Sarawak’s natural resources through effective business models.
He said industrial development will be planned according to upstream opportunities, midstream and downstream production, and export potential.
Therefore, he said Sarawak will encourage private sector cooperation to open up these opportunities.
Abang Johari said the Sarawak Government has also introduced a sovereign wealth fund, based on the Norwegian Government Pension Global Fund model, to build the state’s financial reserve.
Part of the savings, he said, will be reinvested for the benefit of future generations, including education, improved living standards, talent development, expertise, and entrepreneurial skills.
According to him, Sarawak’s uniqueness lies in the unity of its people of various races, cultures, customs, languages and religions, which are the core of the state’s strength.
“Thanks to its perseverance, Sarawak has now emerged as a high-income region in Malaysia and a potential investment destination for foreign countries, as a result of its political stability policy, “ Abang Johari said.
“Sarawak is a prime example of harnessing diversity.”
He also called on children to cultivate the spirit of acquiring knowledge because the state has world-class institutions.
“By 2026, the Sarawak Free Higher Education Scheme (FTES) will be introduced, so the young generation must seize this opportunity to meet the needs of the future,” he said.
He said Sarawak has higher education institutions, such as UTS, Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University Malaysia, i-CATS University College, Laila Taib College (KLT), and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), for the benefit of the young generation.
“If you are not successful in going to IPTA, opportunities are still open at these institutions, with the Yayasan Sarawak funding the cost of studies through the available sponsorship schemes.
“Therefore, this expo serves to raise the awareness of our young generation, especially in rural areas, about educational opportunities in institutions under Yayasan Sarawak, as well as serve as a government platform to disseminate information and guide them to seize these opportunities,” he added.
Among those present were Yayasan Sarawak Director, Datuk Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin, and UTS Vice-Chancellor, Datuk Prof. Khairuddin Abdul Hamid.
