MUKAH – Sarawak needs to move towards higher-value economic activities, strengthen technology-based industries and make greater use of its natural resources to create sustainable growth and raise incomes, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.
Speaking in Mukah on October 3, Abang Johari said the state’s economic development must extend beyond the extraction of natural resources by creating more downstream activities, skilled employment and opportunities for local businesses.
He said resources such as oil and gas should be used strategically to support industrial development, attract new economic activities and generate higher-value employment rather than serving only as sources of government revenue.
The approach is aligned with Sarawak’s wider development strategy towards becoming a developed and high-income region by 2030. The Premier’s Office has previously identified data, innovation, technology, human capital and sustainable development as key elements of that economic direction.
Abang Johari also pointed to opportunities in high-technology sectors, including semiconductors, digital chip design and artificial intelligence.
Sarawak has already outlined plans to develop its semiconductor ecosystem, with a focus on areas including integrated circuit design, compound semiconductors, workforce development and technology research.
The expansion of such industries would require a workforce equipped with relevant technical and digital skills. Abang Johari therefore stressed the importance of developing local talent, so Sarawakians can participate directly in emerging industries and benefit from the jobs created by economic diversification.
His comments come as Sarawak continues to position technology and innovation as part of its longer-term economic transformation. The state government has also highlighted talent development as an important component of its plans to support higher-value activities.
Agriculture was another area highlighted by the Premier, particularly through the adoption of modern technology. He said tools such as drones and digital systems could improve crop management, increase operational efficiency and contribute to higher productivity for agricultural entrepreneurs.
The use of technology in agriculture could also support efforts to strengthen local food production while giving producers access to more efficient methods of monitoring and managing crops.
Energy is similarly central to Sarawak’s economic plans. Abang Johari said renewable sources including hydropower, solar and biomass should be developed alongside other energy resources to support industrial activity and meet future demand.
Sarawak has been pursuing an expansion of its renewable and green-energy capacity, with the state previously outlining targets to increase generation capacity through sources including solar, biomass and hydrogen.
In Mukah, the Premier has also identified emerging opportunities linked to the carbon economy and clean-energy technologies, with the division’s natural landscapes and resources potentially supporting new economic activities.
Abang Johari said increasing the value of locally produced goods would also be important. Processing, innovation and access to wider markets can allow businesses to retain more value within Sarawak while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to expand.
The emphasis on downstream development is intended to connect resource availability with manufacturing, technology and other commercial activities, creating a broader economic base rather than relying heavily on a limited number of sectors.
The Premier also linked economic growth to household welfare, saying stronger economic performance should result in better employment opportunities and higher incomes for Sarawakians.
He said increased state economic capacity could also support continued investment in infrastructure, education and social amenities, allowing economic development to produce wider benefits across communities.
Sarawak’s development strategy therefore places industrial expansion, technology adoption, renewable energy and human-capital development alongside efforts to increase the value generated from the state’s resources.
The government has previously stated that its 2030 economic vision is not solely focused on expanding the size of the economy, but also on ensuring that economic prosperity reaches households and communities.
For Mukah and other parts of Sarawak, the push towards higher-value activities could create opportunities in technology, energy, agriculture and resource-based industries as the state continues its economic transition towards 2030.
The success of that transition will depend on investment, infrastructure, industry development and the ability of local workers and businesses to participate in the emerging sectors. – Sarawak Daily
