KUCHING – Sarawak has unveiled plans to transform Tanjung Embang into an international industrial and logistics hub, a move aimed at positioning the state as a rising “Star in ASEAN”.
Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, said the project would harness Sarawak’s strategic location, energy resources and infrastructure to place the state at the forefront of regional economic growth.
Speaking at the 2026 Sarawak Budget Conference at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), Abang Johari highlighted the hub’s potential reach.
“Tanjung Embang has to be international. Based on our location, we are within three to four hours’ flying range to the whole of ASEAN and East Asia. If you can have that hub, you become a player in half of the world’s population, a three-billion market,” he said.
The Premier explained that the development would be supported by major infrastructure projects, including a new port, a new international airport, and the Kuching Low Carbon Hub, designed to attract advanced industries and high-quality investments.
Sarawak is already engaging international partners to ensure the success of the initiative. Collaboration between Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and China’s Jiangsu Province is underway, focusing on industrial expertise and regional development strategies.
Abang Johari drew parallels with his recent visit to Suzhou Industrial Park, a flagship China-Singapore joint venture, noting that Sarawak’s approach would adopt global best practices while maintaining a distinct local identity.
He emphasised that Sarawak’s strengths, reliable power supply, abundant water resources, and skilled human capital form the foundation of a modern economy. These assets, he said, would enable the state to participate more actively in regional and global value chains.
“Today, we are not only producing power, we are sharing power with ASEAN countries. In the future, we can also produce high-quality products to be shared with ASEAN and beyond,” he added.
Abang Johari urged Sarawakians to embrace innovation and ambition, warning against complacency that could trap the state in middle-income status.
“Sometimes you have to be ambitious. If not, you will always be the second or third feeder. You have to be in the front,” he said, calling for boldness and hard work to secure Sarawak’s place in the regional economy.
The conference, organised by Salihin Academy Sdn Bhd and the Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence Sdn Bhd, provided a platform to outline the state’s economic vision.
The Tanjung Embang hub is expected to play a central role in Sarawak’s long-term strategy to become a leading player in ASEAN’s industrial and logistics landscape.
