By Amanda L
KUCHING, Oct 7: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called for an end to island-wide economic rivalry, urging Borneo’s territories to unite through a network of specialised industrial hubs.
Speaking at the 2nd Borneo Economic Forum today, he urged Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan and Brunei Darussalam to stop competing for a single economic centre and instead leverage their distinct strengths to build stronger regional value chains.
“Across Borneo, we should look at how our different industrial capabilities can work together, linking production, logistics, resources, technology and markets to build stronger regional value chains,” he said.
To achieve this, Abang Johari emphasised that the region must move beyond exporting raw materials by developing local capabilities, adopting new technologies and retaining greater value locally.
“This is what an integrated Borneo economy can be: not one industrial centre for the whole island, but different centres of excellence working together to create greater value for Borneo,” he said.
As an example, he cited Sarawak’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiative, which brings together government bodies, industry leaders, investors and technology partners to drive low-carbon and high-value activities along the Bintulu-Samalaju corridor.
However, he stressed that the cluster model should not remain confined to Bintulu, but serve as a blueprint for interconnecting industrial capabilities across the entire island. — DayakDaily
