KUCHING: Sarawak’s free tertiary education policy and English-proficient graduates are the primary factors behind SoftBank Group Corp’s pledge to invest up to US$50bil in the state, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said.
Speaking at the opening of Wisma Melayu in Petra Jaya on Wednesday night (Nov 11), Abang Johari said he had asked SoftBank chairman and chief executive officer Masayoshi Son what attracted the Japanese conglomerate to Sarawak.
Son, who visited on Nov 9 to sign a joint development agreement for an artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure platform, cited the state’s free education policy as the main draw, alongside its bilingual workforce proficient in English and Bahasa Melayu.
“Our education policy produces students who can speak English besides our mother tongue, Bahasa Melayu,” said Abang Johari.
Abang Johari noted that Sarawak’s abundant water supply and low-cost renewable energy, critical resources for operating data centres, also contributed to securing the investment.
The multi-year AI computing project begins with US$1bil in seed capital, comprising US$800mil from SoftBank, US$100mil from Grab Holdings Limited, and US$100mil from Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros).
Abang Johari urged Sarawak Malay youth to utilise the free tertiary education to build expertise in emerging global economic sectors and remain competitive alongside other communities.
At the same event, Sarawak Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar officially opened the RM73mil Wisma Melayu.
Located along Jalan Diplomatik and developed by Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS), the tengkolok-inspired complex was first conceived in 2007 under the late former chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to preserve and showcase Sarawak Malay heritage.
