SIBU: Sarawak’s abundant river water resources have the potential to drive the development of high-tech industries, creating opportunities for the state to strengthen its position in the semiconductor, artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said sustainably managed water resources were essential not only for daily use and hydroelectric power generation, but also for meeting the needs of future industries that depend on clean energy supplies and cooling systems.

He said these natural advantages should be harnessed through the development of technology and local expertise so that Sarawak would not merely be a consumer but also become a producer of high-value technology.

“We clean and treat river water for green energy, including for cooling systems used in high-tech applications,” he said.

He was speaking at the national-level World Rivers Day celebration here on Saturday.

The Sarawak Premier explained that effective water resource management, including river treatment and conservation, was among the key factors in creating an ecosystem that supports the growth of high-tech industries.

He said Sarawak’s rivers also played a vital role in hydroelectric power generation, including through the Bakun and Murum dams.

Meanwhile, he stressed that Malaysia needed to strengthen its capacity to create and develop its own technology to generate greater economic value and move beyond the middle-income trap.

“Malaysia is somewhere in the middle. For how long?

“Given Sarawak’s abundant water resources, we can work together to produce semiconductors for the world,” he said.

In this regard, he said the provision of free higher education for Sarawak students was one of the state government’s strategic initiatives to develop a skilled local workforce capable of meeting the needs of high-tech industries.

At the same event, the Sarawak Premier officiated the launch of the Development Guidelines for River Corridors and the handover of the Coastal Erosion Control Project in Kampung Semarang, Pusa, Betong.

The handover of the Sungai Pesang National River Trail in Kampung Pesang, Serian, and the Sungai Serian National River Trail in Kampung Stabut, Serian, was also officiated.

The event also saw the handover of Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) studies for Sungai Samarahan, Sungai Sibuti and Sungai Saribas, as well as the presentation of the Best Participant Award for the National Water Resources Expedition (EKSAN) and the 2026 Special Water Resources Award (AKSA).

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, and Sarawak Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee. -UKASnews

Translator: Uilson Ng