By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, May 12: The proposed amendment to the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Ordinance is more than a cosmetic change, as it formally aligns the corporation’s legislative identity with the internationally recognised “SDEC” brand, says Daro assemblyman Dr Safiee Ahmad.
Speaking during the debate of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2026 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today, he said SEDC has evolved into a key player synonymous with institutional stability and global economic engagement.
“This amendment ensures that when SEDC sits at the table with global technology partners in Tokyo, Oslo or Dubai, its legal foundation reflects a modern, corporate and professional statutory body,” he said.
He also welcomed the proposal to replace the title of “general manager” with “group chief executive officer (CEO)”, describing it as more than a matter of prestige but one of functional clarity and corporate governance.
He noted that SEDC has grown into a massive conglomerate overseeing strategic subsidiaries such as Sarawak Metro, which is delivering the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, and SEDC Energy, which is spearheading Sarawak’s hydrogen economy initiatives.
“In a conglomerate structure, general managers typically lead departments or business units. But the individual steering the entire group’s multi-billion ringgit portfolio must carry the authority and designation of a Group CEO,” he stressed.
According to him, the amendment would also resolve longstanding confusion within the organisation, as several subsidiaries and business units previously used the title “general manager” for their operational heads, creating ambiguity over the corporation’s highest executive authority.
“By formally elevating the apex role to Group CEO, the Bill establishes an unambiguous hierarchy—so that in every contract, every negotiation and every statutory filing, there is no doubt as to the level of executive authority being exercised,” he added.
He further said the amendment would strengthen the corporation’s governance structure through the formal inclusion of the Sarawak Secretary or representative, a representative from the federal Ministry of Economy, the State Attorney-General or representative, and the State Financial Secretary or representative on the Board.
He described the expanded composition as a “powerhouse board” that bridges Sarawak’s fiscal policy, legal safeguards and national economic alignment.
The Daro assemblyman also praised the amendment for specifically recognising “science” as a qualifying field of expertise for Board appointments, calling it a forward-looking move in line with SEDC’s expansion into high-technology sectors.
“As SEDC ventures into complex fields like hydrogen fuel cell technology, electrolysis and automated rapid transit, we cannot rely on generalist oversight alone. We need scientists and technical experts on the Board to provide the checks and balances required for high-tech capital expenditures.
“We are moving from a Board of administration to a Board of innovation,” he said. — DayakDaily
