Premier: Data is ‘the new oil’ as Sarawak advances digital transformation

28 April 2026 – KUCHING (April 28): Sarawak is exploring the use of satellite technology and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems to support future planning and resource management, as part of its move towards a data-driven economy, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the state is looking into leveraging data collected from satellites in low Earth orbit to improve decision-making, particularly in areas such as environmental management and land use.

“We want to use satellite data for planning, including monitoring mangroves, timber resources and land conditions, so that we can manage our resources more effectively,” he said when officiating at the 16th International Unimas Engineering Conference (EnCon 2026) here on Tuesday. Abang Johari said the future of the global economy will increasingly depend on data, describing it as “the new oil” that will shape development strategies. He noted that rapid advancements in AI, from generative AI to agent-based systems and eventually strategic AI, will further enhance the ability to process and utilise large volumes of data.

“With these technologies, we can integrate different data sources and improve how we plan for the future,” he said.

He added that Sarawak is also exploring opportunities in aerospace-related fields to support its digital transformation, particularly in strengthening data infrastructure and connectivity. “The future will depend on signals, satellites and how we manage data in the cloud,” he said.

At the highlight of the event, Abang Johari witnessed the conferment of the title of adjunct professor by the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Faculty of Engineering on Tanjung Manis MP and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia chairman Datuk Yusuf Abdul Wahab. He also witnessed the exchange of 11 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Unimas and various international universities, as well as national and international organisations, including key players in the engineering industry.

The MoU exchanges involved TNB Lab Sdn Bhd, Pukyong National University (Korea), University of Kratie (Cambodia), Pipeline Integrity Consulting Engineers Pte Ltd (Singapore), Spring Semiconductor Sdn Bhd, Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia, ZHA Environmental Sdn Bhd, Mycold, Dura Technology (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, EPR (Kuching) Sdn Bhd, and the Sarawak Sewerage Services Department.

Among those present were Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Unimas Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie and Unimas vice-chancellor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit.