Sarawak Accelerates Green Economy Transformation, Advanced Technology To Achieve PCDS 2030 Aspirations
KAPIT: Sarawak continues to accelerate its economic transformation agenda by focusing on green economy development, renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and human capital development as key drivers toward realising the aspirations of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the rapid shifts in the global economic landscape demand that Sarawak transitions from a traditional resource-based economy to a technology- and innovation-driven, sustainable low-carbon economy.
According to him, forests are now not only natural treasures but also hold high economic value through their function as carbon sinks that support carbon trading in line with international commitments.
"Development is happening so rapidly because of the technology transition. For example, Kapit previously relied on forest resources, but today that has changed. Because the forest is the only way for us to store carbon, which serves as the basis for carbon trading and is based on the 2015 Paris Agreement," he said.
He said this during a press conference after officiating the opening ceremony of the Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) Programme 2026 for the Kapit Division here on Saturday.
Commenting on the energy sector, he noted that negotiations between Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and PETRONAS are expected to open up avenues for cooperation capable of reinforcing energy industry development, thereby benefiting the economic growth of Sarawak and the nation.
In the meantime, he said the Sarawak Government is also placing emphasis on human capital development through the implementation of 64 education and training programmes covering various fields such as science, technology, management, finance, and psychology.
According to him, social and lifestyle changes within society have also increased the demand for professionals, particularly in the field of psychology.
"This is for us to produce highly skilled human capital," he added.
Earlier, when speaking at the opening ceremony, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari announced the government's intention to develop Kapit into an environmentally sustainable town or green township.
"Minister for Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi will work on securing funds from the Federal Government, and we will support this effort, including developing roads across Kapit.
"First is whether to construct a bridge from Kapit Town to the opposite side of the river. Then we will develop an environmentally sustainable town—a green township—which might be the first in this area," he explained.
At the same event, he also performed the symbolic presentation of the Sarawak Basic Necessities Contribution Aid (SKAS) and the Sarawak Free Higher Education Scheme (FTES).
Immediately after the ceremony, he conducted a working visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Baru before attending a Regional Corridors Development Authority (RECODA) briefing at the old Kapit airport.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister for Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Sarawak Cabinet Ministers, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Ministers, as well as Sarawak Assemblymen. — UKASnews
