By Shikin Louis and Chris Lidom
KUCHING, Aug 23: Sarawak has been identified as Malaysia’s satellite launch site due to its strategic location near the equator, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed today.
Abang Johari shared that this decision was reached during a recent meeting on Malaysia’s physical development chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Sarawak was selected because of its location near the equator.
“The Federal government has identified Sarawak (as the launch site). This mean Sarawak will launch satellites,” he said when attending the Sarawak Skills’ 30th anniversary gala dinner held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here earlier tonight.
He emphasised that as Sarawak prepares for this role, it is crucial for Sarawakians to have a basic understanding of the aerospace industry.
To support this, an aerospace faculty will be established at i-CATS University College to develop local talent for the space industry.
“This involves (teaching) astronomy, physics, chemistry, algorithm, meaning STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, so we have to prepare our young Sarawakians to learn STEM subjects if we are to launch satellite,” he added.
Apart from that, Abang Johari also pointed out that the aerospace industry would also involve avionic engineering.
He said that under Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Datuk Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Sarawak has set up a semiconductor (SMD) academy to train Sarawakians in chip design which produces not only chips for analogue use, but compound chips that can store data.
“This is the way forward for us since we have been identified as a place to launch satellites,” he said.
Also present were Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn; Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development II (Talent Development) Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar; and Sarawak Skills chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain. — DayakDaily
