MIRI: The Sarawak government will continue adding value to the state’s natural resources by expanding downstream industries, especially in oil and gas, under the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said SGR is a long-term plan expected to attract RM300 billion in investments over the next decade.
He said new industries will also emerge in renewable energy, with Sarawak targeting to generate up to 15,000 megawatts by 2035 for both local consumption and export to Asean countries.
“I believe SGR will generate RM120 billion in output through products and services linked to Sarawak’s gas industry once fully implemented.
“This initiative will boost Sarawak’s economy, create more job opportunities, and help raise household income, particularly among those in rural areas.
“It also refutes remarks made by certain quarters who claim Sarawak is a ‘rich state with poor people’,” he said during the Sarawak Day 2025 celebration here last night (Jul 22).
Abang Johari said education and talent development, including the arts, remain crucial to ensure Sarawakians can manage and sustain local industries independently.
To support this, he said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will begin offering free higher education starting next year to Sarawakian students enrolled in four state-owned universities.
He was optimistic that this move will enable more students to pursue critical fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) without financial barriers.
“I am confident that by equipping Sarawakian youth with knowledge in advanced technology and other key development fields, we can eradicate poverty, especially in rural areas, within five to 10 years,” he added.
