By Karen Bong
SIBU, Oct 24: Sarawakian children must never retreat from pursuing ambitious goals and should strive to become creators of technology to help propel Sarawak and Malaysia beyond the middle-income trap, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Emphasising the importance of determination and innovation, he urged the younger generation to continue striving towards building a technologically advanced Sarawak.
“Children of Sarawak never retreat. We must continue striving. As people say, ‘anang cabut’ (do not run away).
“We must continue working hard to develop our children,” he said when officiating at the National-Level World Rivers Day Celebration 2026 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here today, which was broadcasted live via Ukas Channel.
He said Sarawak’s ambition to move beyond the middle-income trap depended on its ability to develop human capital equipped with technological knowledge and skills.
The Premier said Malaysia’s continued position in the middle-income trap was partly due to its tendency to consume technology rather than create it.
“Why have we never moved beyond it, while Vietnam has now surpassed Malaysia in certain areas?
“I think the only reason is that we do not create technology. We only consume it. We do not produce technology,” he said.
He cited South Korea as an example of a country that had moved ahead by developing technologies of its own, including through companies such as Samsung.
Abang Johari said Sarawak must similarly pursue its ambition of producing semiconductors for the global market.
“We must work together and create technology. We should produce semiconductors in Sarawak for the world. Then we will not be trapped,” he said.
He also defended Sarawak’s ambition to venture into the space economy, including the development of a nano-satellite by 2030.
Acknowledging that some had described his ambition as overly ambitious, he said Sarawak must be willing to try new things if it wanted to advance.
“But we must try. If we do not try, how will we know? We must make the effort,” he said.
The Premier said the State government’s provision of free tertiary education for Sarawakian children under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was part of its effort to develop a skilled and technologically capable workforce.
He said investment in education and human capital was essential to ensure Sarawak could meet the demands of emerging industries and future economic opportunities.
Abang Johari said the State’s development policies were aimed at creating opportunities for the younger generation while ensuring that Sarawak continued to progress.
“Insya-Allah, if the people of Sarawak remain united and our children become knowledgeable and skilled, Sarawak will become even more advanced,” he said.
He added that Sarawak’s aspirations were not limited to the State alone, as its development could also contribute to Malaysia’s broader economic progress.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Deputy Minister of Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, PETRA secretary general Dato Sri Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, DID Malaysia director general Datuk Ir Mohamad Radzi Abdul Talib and DID Sarawak director Datu Ir Ahamd Denny Ahmad Fauzi were among the distinguished guests present. — DayakDaily
