Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Northern Territory seeks closer ties with Sarawak

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Chan (left) hands over a souvenir to Cahill, witnessed by Hii (right) during the event.

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KUCHING: The Northern Territory (NT) of Australia is looking to strengthen ties with Sarawak.

An eight-member NT delegation led by its Minister Robyn Cahill was in town to engage directly with Sarawak.  

The working visit included a networking dinner, where Deputy State Secretary Datuk Hii Chang Kee represented the state government.

Sarawak Australia Business Chamber (SABC) president Rodger Chan, who attended the dinner, said this marks Cahill’s first-ever visit to Sarawak.

“She skipped other parts of Malaysia and only visited Sarawak. This shows her NT government and her seriousness in engaging with Sarawak. 

“There is also a Department of Asian Relations in her government and this shows how the NT government is serious and focusing on Asia,” he said during the event.

He compared Cahill’s approach to the ‘Seriously Asia Forum’ he once attended, chaired by New Zealand’s former Prime Minister Helen Clarke.

That forum, he said, was a strong signal from New Zealand to Asia of its willingness to build long-term partnerships and do business.

Chan believes Cahill’s visit could help reignite Sarawak-Australia ties, especially as both nations mark key anniversaries in their shared diplomatic history.

“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Australia Malaysia diplomatic relationship. It also marks the 80th anniversary of the landing of Australia and ANZAC force landing in Bario under Operation Semut. 

“In fact, Australia was here more than 80 years ago to help Sarawak in defending against the Japanese occupation,” he added.

Chan also recalled the Colombo Plan of the 1950s, under which many Sarawakians were sent to pursue tertiary education in Australia.

He estimated over 40,000 Sarawakians have studied in Australia over the decades, not including those enrolled at two Australian university campuses in Sarawak.

Few also realise, he said, that the Colombo Plan extended beyond education to infrastructure – including the design and construction of the Satok Bridge.

“There is plenty of potential in areas like green energy, digital technology, education, health, tourism, trade and even sports,” he said.

Chan added that it is time to capitalise on the long-standing relationship and turn it into meaningful collaboration with mutual benefits for both sides.

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