Sarawak Premier Arrives in UK to Boost Semiconductor Ties
CARDIFF (UK), Tuesday: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Johari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg arrived in the United Kingdom yesterday evening to begin a four-day working visit aimed at enhancing the state’s semiconductor industry ties with British partners.

The Premier’s delegation is scheduled to visit the CSA Catapult Innovation Centre in Newport today. The visit is part of Sarawak’s strategic move to foster international collaboration in advanced technology, particularly in the field of semiconductors.
CSA Catapult, known as the UK’s authority on compound semiconductor applications and commercialisation, had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sarawak-based SMD Semiconductor Sdn. Bhd. in April last year. This working visit is expected to take that partnership to the next level.
As part of today’s programme, SMD Semiconductor is anticipated to formalise new partnership agreements not only with CSA Catapult but also with two other leading semiconductor players from the UK. These collaborations are expected to drive Sarawak’s ambition to become a hub for high-tech and green energy industries, in line with the state’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
Upon arrival in Cardiff, the Premier was warmly received by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hassan; Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn; State Secretary Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar bin Marzuki; Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Hardin Hollis; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; and senior government officials.
This visit underlines Sarawak’s proactive approach in establishing global networks and strengthening industrial capabilities, particularly in the fast-growing tech sector. — Sarawakku