THOUSANDS of kilometres separate them from Sarawak, but distance has done little to weaken their connection to home.
Whether pursuing careers in Japan, Qatar, or Australia, Malaysian professional footballer Dion Cools, Qatar Airways pilot Benjamin Poh Tze Lik Abdullah, and Perth-based accountant Dayang Hanara Hani Abang Noordin continue to keep a close eye on the state’s progress.
Each left Sarawak under different circumstances. One followed a professional football career across Europe and Asia, another sought new opportunities after the aviation industry was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, while the third moved to Australia as a teenager with her family more than two decades ago.
Despite their different journeys, all three share a deep pride in being Sarawakian and remain optimistic about the state’s future.
As Sarawak celebrates its 63rd anniversary, they shared with Sarawak Tribune their thoughts on how the state has transformed over the years, the developments that have impressed them most, and what home continues to mean to them while living abroad.
Although he has not returned to Kuching in recent years because of his football commitments, Cools still fondly remembers how every visit with his family revealed something new.
“When I was younger, every year or every two years, we would come to Sarawak to visit family. You could always see development coming, with new infrastructure and new places. It was always interesting to come back and see what had changed,” he said.
While he has yet to witness the state’s recent transformation firsthand, Cools is encouraged by what he has seen and heard about Sarawak’s continued progress.
“I’ve heard there are a lot of new projects going on, with modern infrastructure and new housing developments. It’s pleasant to hear because it shows Sarawak is moving in the right direction.”
Within football circles, Cools said players who have previously played in Kuching often speak positively about their experience.
“They always say it’s quite a nice place to stay. It’s always nice to hear that the city where I was born has such a good reputation.”
While Cools views Sarawak’s progress through the lens of his experiences abroad, Benjamin sees the state’s transformation through its economic ambitions.
The former AirAsia and MASwings pilot has been living in Qatar for the past three years after joining Qatar Airways following the COVID-19 pandemic.
”There was nothing left to offer in Malaysia during that period of 18 months. I needed to rebuild my financial and career goals elsewhere,” he said.
From abroad, Benjamin has watched Sarawak embark on an ambitious journey towards becoming a high-income, technology-driven economy.
Among the developments that impressed him most is AirBorneo, which he believes will strengthen regional connectivity while giving Sarawakians more affordable travel options during festive seasons.
He also highlighted opportunities emerging from green energy, the hydrogen economy, digital industries, and modern agriculture, saying these sectors were creating possibilities that did not exist several years ago.
“The quality of life is the number one determinant. Sarawak is known for its peaceful, multi-ethnic society, safe neighbourhoods, and beautiful natural environment.”
He added that ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, would further enhance mobility across Greater Kuching and Kota Samarahan.
Living overseas has also given Benjamin the opportunity to introduce Sarawak to people who know Malaysia but are unfamiliar with the state.
“I would say about 75 per cent of the people I meet know Malaysia, but not Sarawak. It’s nice to introduce Sarawak to them and tell them what the state has to offer.”
However, he believes competitive salaries remain one of the biggest factors influencing whether more Sarawakians choose to return home.
“The main reason why people leave Sarawak to work elsewhere is how much more they get paid for the same job. Competitive compensation is important because people want to know their work is valued.”
From Perth, Dayang Hanara has witnessed Sarawak’s transformation over an even longer period.
She moved to Australia with her family in 2000 after Form Three and now balances life as a part-time accountant and full-time mother.
Regular trips home have allowed her to witness the state’s transformation firsthand.
“It feels more creative and vibrant now. The foodie scene is amazing, shopping has greatly improved, and there has been a profound shift in cultural awareness, preserving indigenous crafts, local dialects, and folklore in the digital age,” she said.
She was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of renewing her passport at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC), describing the process as seamless.
Dayang Hanara also highlighted the state’s sports scene and upcoming ART system as positive developments.
“Our friends working in Kuching feel the Sarawak government has made good policies lately, which is critical in making it attractive for young families and professionals to want to come home.”
Nevertheless, she believes there is still room for improvement before relocating becomes a realistic option for her family.
She mentioned work-life balance, education, childcare support, reliable public transportation, and competitive salaries as areas that could encourage more Sarawakians overseas to return.
Even so, home continues to hold a special place in her heart.
“I’ve been here nearly 26 years, but Kuching still has a pull. The security, the community, the nostalgia, and familiarity are strong. Coming home now with my husband and children makes it even more meaningful,” she said.
Although they now call different countries home, all three remain united by their attachment to Sarawak.
Their lives may have taken them far beyond the Land of the Hornbills, but their hearts remain firmly rooted in the place they still call home.
