By Amanda L
KUCHING, Aug 23: Sarawak could develop higher-value products such as gallium nitride and super magnets from its mineral resources, but a shortage of specialised experts could limit the State’s ability to move into downstream processing, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says.
Speaking at the launch of AI for Makers: Borneo Makers Festival 2026 here today, he said Sarawak needed more metallurgists and resource scientists to develop the expertise required to process minerals such as rare earth elements (REE) into higher-value products rather than simply exporting them.
“We need expertise because our human capital must be ready. We also need resource scientists. Otherwise, you cannot add value because you don’t know how,” he said.
He identified metallurgy as one specialised field Sarawakians should pursue because of its relevance to metals and mineral processing.
“You have to have somebody who is good in metallurgy. It has something to do with metal,” he said.
Abang Johari cited gallium nitride and super magnets as examples of potential applications that could create greater value from Sarawak’s mineral resources, but said this would require people with the necessary technical knowledge to develop and process the materials.
He called for Sarawakians to pursue specialised research and PhD studies linked to the State’s resources to build the expertise needed for such development.
“Let them expand their knowledge, do PhDs on this subject, because it is related to our resources,” he said.
The push for specialised human capital also forms part of Sarawak’s wider investment in education, including the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) in selected fields. — DayakDaily
