Governor: Human capital, economic resilience key to Sarawak's future growth
Wan Junaidi (right) makes his way to the DUN Chamber after the opening ceremony of the first meeting of the fourth term of the 19th State Legislative Assembly. The Governor is accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi (second left) and DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad.
KUCHING (May 19): Sarawak's current plans and strategies are geared towards the development of knowledgeable and intelligent human capital, said Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He pointed out that history has shown that the countries which have made rapid progress in recent decades are those that embrace meritocracy.
'Academic qualifications alone are no longer sufficient to meet today's challenges if they are not grounded in a strong sense of commitment, ownership, belonging, individual responsibility, and a sense of urgency in addressing the needs at hand,' he said in his address at the opening of the first meeting of the fourth term of the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here today.
He said the uncertainty of the global economy due to geopolitical conflicts, technological revolutions, climate change, and more recently, the global tariff war, has undoubtedly impacted Sarawak's economic growth.
'Therefore, I urge that we remain constantly prepared to strengthen Sarawak's economic resilience.'
He commended the proactive steps taken by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg whose efforts to continuously explore and diversify economic opportunities in strategic sectors such as green energy, digital technology, and innovation have not only met domestic needs but also played a significant role at the national and global levels.
'Congratulations to the Right Honourable Premier for achieving many successes during his recent working visit to Europe.
'I believe these successes are the result of carefully planned strategic collaborations, following his courtesy calls and discussions with Ambassadors and companies from Europe.
'Among the achievements that make us proud is the establishment of strategic cooperation between Sarawak and the United Kingdom in areas such as education, research, manufacturing, semiconductors, and energy,' he said.
He also said that the Sarawak government's recent launch of an AI-Based Power Converter in the United Kingdom reflects the capability of Sarawakians in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.
'The Premier has also successfully enhanced strategic cooperation to explore the potential of positioning Sarawak as a new aerospace hub in the Asia-Pacific region, following his working visit to the headquarters of ATR and Airbus in Toulouse, France.
'I am confident that these efforts will reduce our dependence on natural resources, diversify economic activities, increase value creation, and open up new avenues of sustainable and inclusive economic growth, in line with the aspirations of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030,' said Wan Junaidi.
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