KUCHING – The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, welcomed representatives from BlackBerry Limited and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) during a courtesy visit at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building on 20 May 2026.
The meeting brought together senior figures from both institutions, highlighting Sarawak’s growing interest in advancing technology partnerships. UKM’s delegation was headed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sufian Jusoh, accompanied by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Prof. Dr. Ismanizan Ismail, International Industry Advisory Council member Ts. Johan Mohamad, and Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities Professor Dr. Lyndon.
BlackBerry’s team was led by Chief Executive Officer and President John Giamatteo. He was joined by Chief Strategy Officer John Dimitropoulos, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific Tash Stamatelos, Chief Legal Officer Phil Kurtz, Director of Enterprise for Malaysia Raja Rizal bin Kamrul Abdullah, and Director of Customer Service Abdulah Sabri Mohd Noor.
Discussions centred on potential collaborations in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, hydrogen, semiconductors, quantum computing, and secure communication technologies. These areas align with Sarawak’s ambition to position itself as a hub for advanced technologies and achieve developed state status by 2030.
Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sufian Jusoh explained that UKM is exploring partnerships with Sarawak’s government and institutions, alongside international universities including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cambridge.
“We are looking into working together with the Sarawak Government and local institutions, alongside our international university partners including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cambridge, to develop these technologies in Sarawak,” he said.
John Giamatteo described the session as constructive, emphasising the importance of collaboration between governments, academia, and the private sector in tackling future technological challenges. He noted BlackBerry’s commitment to supporting Sarawak in strengthening secure communications and data sovereignty.
“In places like Sarawak where floods and natural disasters can occur, secure emergency communication and notification systems are increasingly important and these are among the solutions BlackBerry can offer in partnership with UKM and related institutions,” he said.
The courtesy visit reflects Sarawak’s proactive approach in engaging with global technology leaders and academic institutions to accelerate innovation. By focusing on renewable energy and digital security, the state aims to enhance resilience against natural disasters while building a sustainable and technologically advanced future.
The meeting also underscores the Premier’s ongoing efforts to attract international expertise and investment into Sarawak’s development agenda. With the involvement of both UKM and BlackBerry, the collaboration could pave the way for new research initiatives, industry applications, and training opportunities for local talent.
