KUCHING – Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg has called for stronger collaboration among engineers and professionals from different disciplines to address increasingly complex development challenges facing the state.
He said issues involving energy, climate change, artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced industries required expertise from multiple professional fields, making cooperation between engineers, scientists, researchers, economists and technology specialists increasingly important.
Speaking at the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Annual Dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday, the Premier said no single engineering discipline or profession could independently address the challenges emerging from rapid technological and economic changes.
He noted that the growing complexity of modern development required professionals to combine their knowledge and experience to develop practical responses to issues affecting industries, infrastructure and the wider economy.
Abang Johari encouraged engineers to look beyond the boundaries of their respective specialisations and build stronger working relationships across industries, institutions and professional sectors.
He said greater engagement between different fields could create opportunities for new ideas, shared expertise and solutions that respond more effectively to the demands of modern development.
The call for multidisciplinary cooperation comes as Sarawak continues to pursue development across several strategic sectors, including energy, industrial growth and technology. These areas involve technical, environmental and economic considerations that often require coordinated planning and input from different specialists.
The Premier also highlighted the importance of maintaining high professional standards within the engineering sector, particularly in technical competence, integrity and professional responsibility.
He said engineering decisions carried significant implications for public safety and the reliability of infrastructure, making professional accountability an essential part of the discipline.
Engineers, he added, must ensure that their technical work meets established professional expectations while recognising the wider responsibilities associated with projects that affect communities and public facilities.
Beyond the current workforce, Abang Johari stressed that developing the next generation of engineers should remain a priority for the profession.
He called for closer cooperation between IEM, universities, schools and industry players to strengthen the preparation of young people entering engineering careers.
Such partnerships should include professional guidance, technical training and opportunities for continued development, allowing emerging engineers to build the knowledge and practical capabilities needed to navigate changes in the industry.
He said young professionals must be adequately prepared for the growing influence of new technologies and evolving industry requirements, particularly as engineering practices continue to change.
Collaboration between educational institutions and industry is also important in connecting academic learning with practical workplace expectations. Exposure to professional environments and technical applications can help graduates better understand the responsibilities and challenges associated with engineering careers.
The emphasis on professional development also reflects the need for engineering institutions to remain responsive to changes in technology, industrial practices and the demands of infrastructure development.
Among those attending the dinner were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Batu Kitang Assemblyman YB Dato Ir. Lo Khere Chiang, IEM President Ir Yau Chau Fong and IEM Sarawak Chairwoman Datu Ir Dr Angelia Liew San Chuin, together with other dignitaries.
The Premier’s remarks highlighted the importance of combining technical expertise, professional integrity and collaboration in strengthening Sarawak’s engineering capabilities as the state addresses future development priorities. â Sarawak Daily
