By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 26: Sarawak’s strengthening economy is emerging as a major pull factor for skilled Sarawakians abroad or outside the State to return and contribute to its development.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the State’s robust economic progress has enabled employers to offer salaries that better reflect the academic qualifications and expertise of returning talents.
“To ensure they have quality job opportunities, we must continue raising our economic capacity. That is why we are focusing on the semiconductor industry, high technology, modern mechanised agriculture, and the services sector, including banking.
“When industrial tariffs are low and competitive, new investments naturally gravitate toward areas with lower production costs. This enhances the global competitiveness of our products and ultimately generates more employment,” he said during a dialogue session at the Leadership Soiree Dinner (Sarawak Women of Tomorrow 2025) at a leading hotel here on Tuesday (Nov 25).
He highlighted that the methanol plant in Bintulu, for instance, has attracted many Sarawakians formerly employed with Shell and PETRONAS to return, encouraged by competitive salaries and their desire to come home.
Similarly, the ongoing Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project has drawn Sarawakians who were previously involved in Kuala Lumpur’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) development back to the State.
“The core issue is the strength of the economy. If people are skilled but jobs are not available, we cannot blame them for leaving in search of opportunities.
“But when the economy grows and expertise is in demand, most of them will come back,” he said.
The Premier added that Sarawak’s urbanisation initiatives are also encouraging professionals to return and join private-sector industries that require their specialised services.
He further noted that the state government has introduced a five-year work visa policy for non-Sarawakians to enable them to contribute meaningfully to Sarawak’s economic development.
