KUCHING – International investors are increasingly viewing Sarawak as a particularly attractive destination for capital, citing its unique combination of political stability, sustainable energy resources, and a forward-thinking policy framework. This consensus emerged during a panel discussion at the Sarawak International Digital Economy Conference (IDECS) 2025, held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
The session, titled “Why Sarawak? The Investor’s Lens on Resilient Digital Economies,” featured insights from leading financial and trade experts. They highlighted that the state’s strategic balance between economic advancement and community welfare creates a compelling proposition for long-term capital allocation.
Krishnavenee Krishnan, General Partner at The Hive Climate AI, underscored that investors are now prioritising sustainable and resilient growth over short-term gains. She pointed to the state’s people-centric policies and clear leadership vision as foundational strengths.
“From the investor’s perspective, the opportunities in Sarawak are enormous,” Krishnan stated. She particularly emphasised the state’s focus on cultivating local talent, noting that an educated workforce is a critical driver for innovation and economic momentum.
Echoing this sentiment, Chua Zhu Lian, Managing Director of Vision Group, identified two primary competitive advantages for the state. He stressed that Sarawak’s prolonged political stability provides a predictable environment for business, a quality highly valued by international firms.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the state’s power grid, largely fuelled by renewable sources like hydroelectricity, is one of the greenest in the Southeast Asian region, aligning with global shifts towards sustainable investment.
The view from international partners was equally positive. Aznifah Isnariah Abdul Ghani, President of the Malaysia-Taiwan Friendship and Trade Centre, reported strong interest from Taiwanese companies. She stated that these investors recognise Sarawak’s significant potential in the energy sector, its rich natural resources, and the talent of its local workforce.
“Taiwanese companies are looking for stability, strength and strong resources and Sarawak has all of that,” Aznifah remarked. She added that the current priority should be to accelerate the development of a robust investment ecosystem and enhance the state’s profile on the world stage.
Looking towards future industries, Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar, Chief Executive Officer of Ilham Capital Ventures Sdn. Bhd., made a case for the semiconductor sector as a cornerstone of economic resilience. He argued that this industry is the key to achieving sovereignty in several critical technological domains.
“Through this industry, we can achieve sovereignty in AI computing, data, energy, energy storage, smart agriculture and cybersecurity,” Abdul Aziz explained. He described these areas as essential for any state to remain robust in the face of potential future global shocks, including pandemics or energy crises.
The collective analysis from the conference indicates a strong external vote of confidence in Sarawak’s economic direction. The state’s integrated approach, which merges green energy, political consistency, and human capital development, appears to be successfully positioning it as a premier hub for resilient and future-proof investments in the regional digital economy.
