Sarawak premier urges tech-driven economic growth push

KUCHING, 6 OCTOBER 2026 —

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state must move beyond merely adopting technology and instead turn research, innovation and digital capabilities into tangible economic value, as he opened the ninth International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS 26) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on 5 October.

He warned that the next phase of Sarawak’s digital development will hinge on linking research, industry, investment and talent so that ideas can be transformed into market‑ready products and services. “Our young people must be equipped not only to use technology, but to apply it creatively and responsibly,” he told the audience, underscoring the need for a holistic approach that goes beyond isolated projects.

The premier highlighted the complementary role of universities and research institutions, noting that “research creates greater economic value when there is a pathway into application and commercialisation.” He argued that industry provides the testing ground for ideas, while investment supplies the expertise, technology and market access required for scaling.

“For Sarawak, this means remaining open to new possibilities while continuing to build on the strengths we already have,” he said, pointing to the state’s natural resources, energy assets, established industries and institutional framework as a solid foundation on which innovation can generate new value streams and open fresh areas of economic activity.

Building capacity to recognise emerging opportunities, the premier added, is essential for participation in new technology and industry sectors. He stressed that preparing for the future “requires more than individual policies or projects.

It requires a platform that brings the necessary people, ideas, and institutions together.” The call for a coordinated ecosystem was echoed by Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Sri Julaihi Narawi, who said Sarawak was entering a new phase focused on extracting greater value from its digital investments.

Julaihi traced the state’s deliberate investments over the years in building the foundations of a digital economy – from connectivity and infrastructure to talent development and innovation programmes. “We are now entering the next phase, where the measure of success is not how much technology we deploy, but the economic value we create from it,” he said, shifting the narrative from deployment to outcomes.

He linked the digital agenda to Sarawak’s broader economic target of a RM282 billion economy by 2030, stating that digitalisation is critical to raising productivity, attracting higher‑value investment and creating new sources of growth. The minister identified artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital talent and the emerging space economy as the key technologies and capabilities that could shape Sarawak’s next development stage, and said IDECS 26 was centred on these themes.

The two‑day conference, themed “Scaling Innovation Ecosystems for a Borderless Economy: Earth, Orbit & Beyond,” gathered government officials, industry leaders, academics, investors and innovators at the Borneo Convention Centre. Participants were invited to explore emerging technologies and collaborative opportunities that could accelerate the state’s transition from a technology‑adopting posture to a value‑creating digital economy.

Throughout the opening remarks, both leaders stressed that the success of Sarawak’s digital transformation depends on an integrated ecosystem where research outputs are swiftly commercialised, industry partners provide real‑world testing environments, and investment channels supply the capital and expertise needed for scale. The premier’s call for “a platform that brings the necessary people, ideas, and institutions together” aligns with the minister’s emphasis on moving beyond infrastructure to measurable economic returns.

In concluding remarks, the premier reiterated that Sarawak’s natural endowments – its forests, energy resources and established industrial base – remain vital, but that innovation must unlock new ways of using these assets to generate higher‑value economic activity. He urged stakeholders to remain open to new possibilities while building on existing strengths, signalling a strategic shift toward a borderless, innovation‑driven economy.

The conference’s focus on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital talent development and the nascent space economy reflects Sarawak’s ambition to position itself within high‑growth, technology‑intensive sectors. By convening a cross‑sectoral audience, IDECS 26 aims to catalyse partnerships that can translate research breakthroughs into commercial products, attract foreign and domestic investment, and ultimately deliver the economic value the premier and minister deem essential for achieving the state’s RM282 billion target by 2030.