SIBU, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) has been urged to assist the state government in producing more world-class experts in the digital economy and emerging technologies to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a global economic player.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the SABERKAS leadership should create more opportunities for its members through youth development programmes, particularly in technology and future industries.
“A similar approach was implemented when SABERKAS was under the leadership of the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, when Sarawakian youths were sent for industrial training, including in high-tech fields in Silicon Valley, the United States.
“Sarawak’s future lies in your hands. If you can demonstrate strong performance and create new products, you will certainly make your mark,” he said when officiating the 18th SABERKAS Triennial General Assembly here today.
Abang Johari said Sarawak needed more local experts to support its transition towards a new economy driven by digital technology, clean energy, semiconductors, food security and data analytics.
He said the state’s relatively small population meant that Sarawak could not rely solely on the domestic market and should instead explore opportunities in regional and East Asian markets.
According to him, providing free higher education at Sarawak government-owned institutions is among the measures being taken to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting the state’s economic transformation.
Abang Johari added that local expertise was also needed to harness Sarawak’s energy resources, including hydropower, gas, solar and biomass, while increasing agricultural productivity through the adoption of new technologies.
--BERNAMA