By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, May 22: ‘Who says anak Sarawak is paloi (stupid)? They are sophisticated!’
These were the words said by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who said that the State is among the biggest producers of methanol within the Asia Pacific region, adding that Bintulu, which houses the Sarawak Petchem Methanol Plant, could fulfil that role.
“Sarawak has produced one million metric tonnes of methanol, making it among the biggest producers in the Asia Pacific.
“And who is behind it? Anak Sarawak—who says anak Sarawak is ‘paloi’? They are sophisticated,” he said during a dinner ceremony with community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) in Bintulu, which was streamed live by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) tonight.
He added that as Sarawak becomes more developed, it would require a workforce with the necessary skills needed to support the State’s growing economy and industrial sectors, as well as aspirations, one of which involves launching its own CubeSat-based nanosatellite by 2030.
“We have a Sarawakian studying at the University of Southern California who is studying for a master’s degree in aerospace studies. There are six of them, and one is a Sarawakian,” he said.
The Premier added that if Sarawak has people with the necessary experience and knowledge, then they can launch the State’s own satellite to obtain data from the earth.
“This would be a success of ours, and I plan that by 2030, hopefully, we can launch our own nano satellite into the low Earth orbit,” he said.
He also added that soon, AirBorneo will start operating routes to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, and Jakarta.
“Then, it can expand, which means the economy will expand, and we’d need more pilots, engineers, and those who can maintain planes, and we bring tourists to Sarawak,” he said.
Therefore, he urged all KMKK Statewide to encourage students within their communities to develop an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)—especially since the Sarawak government now offers free tertiary education at State-owned institutions of higher education.
Among those present that night were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, and Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki. — DayakDaily
