Sarawak is positioning itself as a future regional hub for aerospace and high-technology industries as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen its economy and create more high-income skilled jobs.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the state government’s move to explore the aerospace sector and its wider ecosystem reflected a forward-looking strategy aimed at driving long-term economic growth and creating new opportunities for Sarawakians.
“The Sarawak government’s move to venture into the aerospace sector, high technology and its entire ecosystem is a strategic forward-looking approach capable of opening a new chapter in Sarawak’s economic development,” he said during the opening of the Fifth Session of the Nineteenth Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Wan Junaidi said the aerospace industry offered strong potential for the creation of high-income jobs, particularly for professionals and highly skilled workers.
“This industry has the potential to create more employment opportunities, particularly for professionals as well as highly skilled workers who can earn attractive incomes,” he said.
He added that the sector encompassed a broad range of strategic areas including aircraft maintenance, spare parts manufacturing, satellite technology, drone technology and the digital economy.
Wan Junaidi also highlighted the importance of data security and sovereignty.
“Sarawak would be able to manage and safeguard government and personal data for the benefit and security of the state and its people.
“Close collaboration between the government, educational institutions, professional bodies and industry players would be critical to ensure Sarawak’s human capital development remains aligned with the needs of rapidly growing high-technology industries,” he said.
The Head of State said agencies and institutions involved in talent development, particularly Higher Education Institutions and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, must move beyond working independently and instead strengthen strategic partnerships with industry and professional groups.
“Training, skills and expertise developed must genuinely meet the needs of the industry,” he said.
Furthermore, Wan Junaidi said, Sarawak’s success in advanced sectors such as aerospace, green energy and the digital economy would depend not only on government policies, but also on the state’s ability to produce a capable and future-ready workforce that can keep pace with global technological developments.
“Success in high-technology industries such as aerospace, green energy and the digital economy depends not only on government policies, but also on Sarawak’s ability to produce professionals and a highly skilled workforce capable of moving in tandem with global industrial and technological advancements,” he added.
He described the Ministry of Education, higher learning institutions and TVET institutions as key enablers in achieving the state government’s aspirations.
“With sufficient and comprehensive education and training, I am confident Sarawakian youths are capable of matching the expertise, skills and capabilities of talents from other countries in the fields of technology, innovation and aerospace,” he added.
He also said such efforts would ultimately position Sarawak among the leading centres for aerospace and high-technology industry development at both regional and international levels.
