By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Nov 10: Sarawak is looking to build a pool of astronomy experts and position its aerospace industry as a data hub, emerging as a global player in the field.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said access to data would open up opportunities across various economic sectors, making satellite technology and space science increasingly important to Sarawak.
“An internationally renowned physicist, Michio Kaku, who is Japanese-American, once said that the new oil will be data, not oil.
“If we have access to data and information, we can do anything based on that data across specific sectors of our economy,” he said during a dialogue session at the Sarawak Form Six Student Leadership and Empowerment Convention 2026 at a hotel here today.
He said Sarawak must develop the expertise and knowledge needed in space science, particularly astronomy, to support its ambitions in satellite technology.
Abang Johari explained that satellite operations required multiple interconnected satellites, known as a constellation, which communicate with one another while orbiting in space.
“To understand this, we need experts in astronomy. Secondly, we want to position aerospace as a data hub for Sarawak.
“If Sarawak succeeds in establishing this, we will become a global player, not just a small-time player. We will compete on the world stage,” he said.
On talent development, he said Sarawak had established an aerospace faculty at Universiti Teknologi Tun Openg (TAHOTECH), while the State’s space agency would spearhead efforts to develop local expertise in the field.
He said the State must work hard to equip its younger generation with the specialised knowledge and expertise needed to participate in emerging industries.
Sarawak is targeting the launch of its first nanosatellite using CubeSat technology by 2030, as part of its efforts to build local satellite capabilities and expand its use of space-based data. — DayakDaily
