KUCHING: The development of high-growth industries such as semiconductors, high-tech agriculture, and oil and gas is expected to unlock more career opportunities for Sarawakian graduates to serve in their home state.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said that government investments in education must be paired with meaningful employment opportunities to enable young Sarawakians to build rewarding careers and contribute to the state's economic growth.

“Hand in hand with the development of high-growth industries like semiconductors, high-tech agriculture, and oil and gas, Sarawakian graduates will have more opportunities to build promising careers and contribute to the state's economic growth without needing to seek employment elsewhere,” he said.

He said this when delivering his winding-up speech at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here on Wednesday.

He added that this trend is already evident as experienced Sarawakian professionals return to serve with state-owned government-linked companies (GLCs), such as Sarawak Petchem, which offers attractive remuneration and benefits packages.

As an example, he cited Sarawak Petchem's Governance and Compliance Manager, Siti Aisyah Mohd Zaman, who previously led the implementation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in national agricultural development financing and spearheaded the development of a RM200 million agrotechnology financing programme at Agrobank.

In addition, Sarawak Petchem's Engineering and Technology Manager, Abang Noor Akmal Yahya Abang Rosli, brings over 25 years of experience in the petrochemical and chemical manufacturing industries across six countries, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, China, and Malaysia.

Another local talent, Aldrin Glenn Roland, who serves as Senior Rotating Equipment Engineer at Sarawak Petchem, also returned to the state after undergoing industrial training during his undergraduate studies in Germany and working in the manufacturing sector in Peninsular Malaysia.

According to the Sarawak Premier, their professional journeys exemplify highly skilled local talent choosing to return and contribute to Sarawak's progress. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photos: George S. Embie
Translator: Ryan Lim