KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has proposed that the Federal Government reexamine appropriate strategic incentives to accelerate the growth of new economic sectors, particularly the hydrogen and semiconductor industries which are seen as having the potential to be key drivers of the nation’s economic development in the future.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said that the current shifting global economic landscape requires a more progressive policy approach to attract high-quality investments and strengthen Malaysia's position in the future industrial supply chain.

“Due to the current economic transition, perhaps the Prime Minister can re-examine the incentives that the government can provide through incentives that attract investment in the new economy.

“Particularly from the perspective of the materials used to produce hydrogen for example, and also semiconductor materials that can improve the product and eventually become a manufacturing sector that I think will provide returns through taxes to the nation,” he said.

He said this when speaking during the Sarawak-Level Gawai Dayak 2026 Dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), here on Sunday.

Present to enliven the event were Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar with his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi and Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also expressed his appreciation to Dato’ Seri Anwar for the continued close cooperation between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government, including the success in realising the handover of Bintulu Port to the state government.

According to him, political stability and close relations between both governments serve as an important foundation in strengthening investor confidence and accelerating the implementation of the economic development agenda.

He also shared that Bintulu is now recognised as one of the 30 international energy transition clusters under the World Economic Forum (WEF), thus strengthening Sarawak's position as a vital player in economic development based on green energy and sustainability.

At the same time, the Sarawak Premier said that the state is intensifying efforts to develop the high-tech manufacturing sector including the semiconductor and clean energy industries to support Malaysia's aspirations to emerge as a major strategic partner in the ASEAN region.

"God willing, we will play a role in ensuring that Malaysia's objectives as an important strategic partner in ASEAN can be achieved," he said.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, Dewan Negara Speaker Senator Dato Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, Sarawak Deputy Premier and Sarawak-Level Gawai Dayak Celebration 2026 Main Committee Chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Federal and Sarawak Cabinet Ministers, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Organising Chairman Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Ministers, heads of departments and other dignitaries. -UKASNews

Prepared By: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery Guang & George S. Embie
Translator: Nerissa Sia