By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 15: Japan, which once occupied Sarawak during World War II, is now being welcomed as an investor as the State seeks to attract international capital and technology to drive its economic growth, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
Speaking at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Southern Zone Special Convention 2026 today, he highlighted the changing relationship between Sarawak and Japan, pointing to growing Japanese investment interest in the State.
“We are inviting them to invest in Sarawak, not to repeat the past,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing investment interest from Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank Group, whose founder Masayoshi Son has identified opportunities in Sarawak’s artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and next-generation semiconductor industries.
Sarawak recently secured US$1 billion (approximately RM4.07 billion) for AI infrastructure development under a wider US$1.85 billion investment package involving SoftBank Group, Grab and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS).
The initial combined investment in Sarawak comprises US$800 million from SoftBank, US$100 million from Grab and US$100 million from PETROS, with the main AI processing plant planned for Tanjung Embang.
The collaboration also aims to build towards a long-term target of five gigawatts of AI computing capacity in Sarawak, while exploring opportunities in advanced technologies, robotics and local workforce development. DayakDaily
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had previously said Son was interested in Sarawak’s young talent and its ability to adapt to emerging technologies, particularly in developing next-generation semiconductor chips.
Sarawak’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) was also identified as a key attraction for the investor, reflecting the importance of developing skilled local talent to support high-technology industries.
The State’s strategy is to leverage its resources, renewable energy capacity and human capital to attract investments that can generate higher-value economic activities and create opportunities for Sarawakians. — DayakDaily
