By Christine T
KUCHING, Oct 21: Sarawak must translate its investments in education into meaningful career opportunities at home so graduates can build rewarding careers in the State instead of seeking employment elsewhere, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the Sarawak government is developing high-growth industries, including semiconductors, high-technology agriculture, and oil and gas, to create more opportunities for Sarawakians to contribute to the State’s economic growth.
“Our investments in education must be matched by meaningful career opportunities at home,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
Abang Johari said the return of experienced Sarawakians to State-owned government-linked companies (GLCs), attracted by competitive remuneration and benefits, demonstrated that the State is becoming a viable destination for skilled talent.
He cited several Sarawakians who had returned with extensive professional experience, including Sarawak PetChem managers Siti Aisyah Mohd Zaman and Abang Noor Akmal Yahya, as well as senior rotating equipment engineer Aldrin Glenn Roland.
Siti Aisyah, who manages governance and compliance at Sarawak PetChem, previously drove environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration in national agricultural development financing and led the development of a RM200 million agrotechnology financing programme at Agrobank.
Abang Noor Akmal, the company’s manager for engineering and technology, brings more than 25 years of experience in petrochemical and chemical manufacturing across six countries, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, China and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Aldrin returned to Sarawak after undertaking industrial training in Germany during his undergraduate studies and working in the manufacturing industry in Peninsular Malaysia.
Abang Johari also highlighted the achievements of Sarawakians who received overseas scholarships through Yayasan Sarawak and subsequently returned to contribute their expertise.
Among them was Randu Rangen, a Bidayuh scholar from Kampung Stabut, Padawan, who obtained a Master of Science in Environment, Politics and Society from University College London and now serves as legal counsel at Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS).
He also cited Jacinta Lim, a physiotherapist from Limbang who received a full scholarship and stipend in 2016 to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Physiotherapy at Curtin University in Australia.
After returning, she established physiotherapy centres Rehab Concept, and beyond her business, she contributes to the community through rehabilitation and public awareness programmes and supports non-governmental organisations, including the Kuching Parkinson’s Society.
Abang Johari said these examples reflected the opportunities available to Sarawakians today, contrasting them with the difficulties faced by earlier generations in accessing education, scholarships and well-paying jobs.
“Today, all our Sarawakian children, regardless of background and family income, can become whoever they aspire to be,” he said.
He added that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government had created a more inclusive pathway for Sarawakians so that they can reach their fullest potential and achieve their highest dreams. —DayakDaily
