KUCHING: Sarawakian talent must be equipped to compete at both regional and global levels in line with the emergence of new economic opportunities that transcend state and national borders, particularly in the energy sector.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, said the state is poised to play a role as one of Asia’s strategic centres, extending its reach beyond Malaysia.

“We are now looking at the ASEAN economy, which comprises 11 countries in the region. The countries closest to us are Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. If we consider the population and market size of these countries, they represent a market of at least more than 300 million people.

“Moving forward, Sarawak will become a focal point within this new market, and we will no longer depend solely on a market of 2.8 million people,” he said.

He said this while delivering his speech at the launch of the Sarawak Career and Training (SCaT) Fair 2026 at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here on Saturday.

In this regard, he said the state government’s move to establish its own airline, AirBorneo, is aligned with efforts to strengthen Sarawak’s connectivity with the wider world.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment and Chairman of the Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, other Sarawak Deputy Ministers, heads of departments, and invited guests. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Jonnie Kiew
Photos: Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Uilson Ng