By Ashley Sim & Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 12: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says over the years, Sama Jaya High-Tech park has attracted over RM14 billion in investments and spawned numerous economic spinoffs that continue to benefit local business communities.
Abang Johari highlighted that Sama Jaya High-Tech park has created 15,000 employment opportunities, of which 98 per cent of them are filled by locals.
“In 2022 alone, Sama Jaya generated a total of RM758 million in wages for the workers, which ultimately flows back into our local economy. For the same year, the export value generated from Sama Jaya was RM8.9 billion.” he said during his speech before officiating at the inauguration of Taiyo Yuden (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd’s (Taiyo Yuden) new factory building today at the Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone here.
The Premier noted that in addition to Taiyo Yuden, Sama Jaya is also home to several major multinational corporations, such as X-FAB (semiconductors), Western Digital (glass and aluminum substrates) LONGi (solar ingots, wafers, cells, and modules), and Lotte EM (copper foil used in electric vehicle batteries), all of which are expanding to meet the needs of the global market.
“They have a network of supporting industries that have formed a cluster here at the park,” he noted, adding that the State government welcomes more companies in their value chain to set up in Sarawak to support their operations.
Meanwhile, on Taiyo Yuden, Abang Johari said that the new two-storey factory building on 70 acres of land will be a state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly facility.
He highlighted that the factory will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases through energy conservation by improving the efficiency of various facilities and energy creation by installing solar power generation on the roof of the building.
“For future expansion, another three units of factory building can be constructed on the land.”
The Premier disclosed Taiyo Yuden has invested over RM3 billion in its Sarawak operations since its establishment in Sama Jaya.
“In order to cater to the growing market demand for multi-layered ceramic capacitor (MLCC) in response to the advancement of technologies for automobiles with more electrical and electronic controlled components, communications infrastructures such as servers and base nation communication devices, 5G smartphones, and other markets, Taiyo Yuden has constructed this new two-storey factory building on 70 acres of land area.”
He also emphasised that Taiyo Yuden is currently the largest employer in Sama Jaya, employing 4,800 individuals.
“Of this, almost all are Sarawakians (except for your top management), and 616 (12.8 per cent) of Taiyo’s total workforce are made up of degree and diploma holders.
“I would like to thank Taiyo Yuden and all the investors in Sama Jaya for giving employment opportunities for Sarawakians,” he added.
The event was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Deputy Premier of Sarawak-cum-Mintred Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Mintred Deputy Minister Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Taiyo Yuden (Japan) Co Ltd president and chief executive officer (CEO) Katsuya Sase; Taiyo Yuden (Japan) Co Ltd executive operating officer Shunji Murai; and Taiyo Yuden (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd managing director and CEO Masashi Toyama. — DayakDaily
