KUCHING: Sarawak plans to take over more strategic entities and assets of the federal government to strengthen the state's economy in line with the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the move was important in expanding the state's economic dominance and creating more high-skilled job opportunities for Sarawakians, especially in the technology and new industry sectors.
According to him, in the past six years, Sarawak has taken over several strategic assets and entities from the federal government, including the Bakun Dam, Bintulu Port and MASwings Sdn Bhd.
"We are also establishing Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), we are taking over equity in Affin Bank (becoming the largest shareholder of Affin Bank Bhd) and we want to take over many more.
"We are expanding our economy based on PCDS… this means new job opportunities will be created," he said when speaking at the Sarawak-level Workers' Day celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Sunday (May 10).
Abang Johari said Sarawak's economic transformation is currently moving towards a high-tech economy that focuses on renewable energy, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and the semiconductor industry.
According to him, Sarawak needs more skilled and professional workforce in various fields including aerospace, digital technology and the semiconductor chip industry. - Bernama
