Some days, the future feels exciting. Other days, it feels tiring. Today feels a bit like the second.
The world is moving fast. Technology is racing ahead. Expectations are high. And sometimes, it is hard to keep up — not just for governments, but for ordinary people trying to make sense of it all.
That is why Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s recent remarks on Sarawak’s next economic direction are worth pausing over. Not rushing past. Not just reading the headline.
As Sarawak steps into 2026, the conversation has clearly changed. We are no longer just talking about what we are building today. We are asking a deeper question.
What kind of economy do we want Sarawak to have 10 years from now?
The premier has outlined four focus areas: semiconductors, aerospace, human capital and renewable energy.
They are big words, technical words. And at first glance, they can feel far removed from daily life.
But behind them is something very real: jobs, skills, security and our children’s future.
I was reminded of this recently in a simple conversation with a young Sarawakian. Bright. Curious and a little anxious.
He asked me, “Uncle, will there still be jobs when I finish studying?”
It was an honest question. A heavy one, too.
That question, more than any policy speech, explains why this new economic direction matters.
For years, Sarawak focused on the basics — roads, power, connectivity, and energy. We needed those foundations.
Hydrogen became a symbol of that ambition — clean, bold and forward-looking. By the Premier’s own words, much of that groundwork is now in place.
So what comes next?
The first pillar is semiconductors or simply chips. We rarely see them. We hardly think about them.
Yet they quietly power almost everything around us. From mobile phones and cars to medical equipment, satellites and artificial intelligence, modern life runs on chips.
Put simply, life today is shaped and increasingly controlled by chips.
What matters is not just that Sarawak wants to be part of this industry. It is howwe want to be part of it; by designing, researching, and owning our own ideas and intellectual property.
That is a big shift in mindset.
If Sarawak can move from using technology to creating it, the impact will be long-lasting.
The second pillar is aerospace.
To many, space still feels distant and too far away to matter. But in reality, it already shapes our daily lives, affecting navigation apps, online banking, internet connections and even weather forecasts.
All of these depend on satellites above us.
In a digital world, understanding space is no longer optional. It is part of understanding how modern life works.
The third pillar is human capital. And this may be the most important one of all.
No industry can grow without a skilled and capable workforce.
Hence, the Premier said the Sarawak government has introduced the free tertiary education for all eligible Sarawakians effective this year.
The scheme is not just about helping families. It is about preparing Sarawakians for jobs that do not yet exist and giving our young people a fighting chance.
But education must be meaningful, relevant, and practical.
We cannot afford graduates who hold certificates but lack confidence or skills.
And we cannot allow opportunity to stop at city limits. Towns, longhouses and rural communities matter too.
If the new economy only works for a few, it will not work for Sarawak.
The fourth pillar is renewable and green energy.
This one feels familiar. Sarawak has long been strong here. But the challenge now is to go further, to innovate, to be more efficient and to act responsibly.
Green energy is not just about power. It is about the kind of future we leave behind.
Taken together, these four pillars show a Sarawak thinking ahead. Not just to 2030 but beyond.
Still, ambition alone is not enough.
Plans must turn into action. Action must turn into jobs. And jobs must bring dignity and stability to ordinary lives — whether in cities or along our rivers.
Perhaps the real measure of success is simple.
Can our young people see a future for themselves here?
Can they imagine building a life in Sarawak?
And above all, these aspirations, will only become reality if all stakeholders step forward, work together, and fully support the initiatives needed to turn plans into action.
If the answer is yes, then we are on the right path.
And that, perhaps, is the most important thing for us to ponder today.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at drnagrace@gmail.com.
