Premier: Sarawak laying groundwork for future financial success aligned with environmental stewardship
KUCHING (Oct 10): Sarawak is transitioning towards a green economy that prioritises sustainable development while minimising environmental degradation, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The Premier said this shift focuses on decoupling economic growth from carbon emissions and resource depletion, ensuring long-term economic and ecological resilience. “Sarawak is laying the groundwork for a future where financial success is aligned with environmental stewardship by integrating renewable energy sources such as hydropower, solar, and biomass,” he said in his keynote address at the Sarawak Future Forum here today. Noting that while Sarawak was historically reliant on oil, gas, and timber, Abang Johari said the state’s economy is now diversifying in response to the global shift towards low-carbon economies. “Recognising the finite nature of these traditional resources, the state is pivoting toward renewable energy, digital innovation, and human capital development. “The Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 serves as a roadmap for this transformation, embedding environmental sustainability as a fundamental component of economic progress,” he said. He pointed out that a cornerstone of Sarawak’s economic transformation is its commitment to renewable energy. “With substantial hydropower capacity, the state already leads the region in clean energy production. “However, Sarawak is expanding its renewable portfolio, targeting an impressive 15GW capacity by 2035. This strategic expansion positions Sarawak as a regional powerhouse in green energy, capable of exporting sustainable power to neighbouring countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, and beyond,” he said. He also said that green hydrogen is at the forefront of Sarawak’s clean energy strategy where the state aims to become a key exporter of hydrogen, particularly to South Korea and Japan, aligning with their national net-zero strategies. “Furthermore, Sarawak is developing a robust hydrogen transportation and storage infrastructure, allowing for seamless export to international markets. “By leveraging its geographical advantage and proximity to key Asian economies, Sarawak can become a major supplier of clean hydrogen, further diversifying its economy,” he said. On Sarawak’s digital transformation, Abang Johari said this extends to urban development, where the region invests in smart city initiatives to optimise city management and improve residents’ quality of life. “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are being integrated into infrastructure systems to enhance efficiency in areas such as traffic management, energy distribution, and public services. “These smart city initiatives are not just about improving urban living—they are also aligned with Sarawak’s broader climate goals. “By making cities more efficient and sustainable, Sarawak is reducing its environmental footprint while enhancing the liveability of its urban areas,” he said. The Premier said the principle of inclusivity also lies at the heart of the Sarawak government’s development strategy. “Social equity must be a guiding principle as we develop policies and programmes that ensure every Sarawakian, regardless of background, has access to opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship. “To truly measure our success, we must ask ourselves, ‘Are we creating a society where everyone has a chance to succeed? Are we building a future where no one is left behind?’ These are the questions that must guide our work in the years ahead,” he said. On the forum, Abang Johari said the inaugural event has brought together global experts, thought leaders, and practitioners from diverse fields, including Nobel laureate Prof Joseph Stiglitz, a global leader in economic thought who has long championed the need to move beyond gross domestic product as a measure of success. “It is our hope that through these discussions, we will gain new perspectives and insights on how to create a more just and sustainable economy. “Sarawak is ready to learn, to adapt, and to lead in areas that matter most to the future of our planet – whether it be green energy, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, or digital innovation,” he said. The Sarawak Future Forum is organised by the Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (Scope) and Leadership Institute of Sarawak Civil Service (LISCS), in partnership with The New York Times, Institute of Management Sarawak (Masa), and the American-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM). Among those present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; and Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.
Global Telecommunications first off-taker for Kuching’s FutureData Park
KUCHING (Oct 10): Global Telecommunications is set to be the first off-taker to set up its data centre within FutureData Park here. FutureData Consortium, led by TSG Group of Sarawak and Cyclect of Singapore, announced this during a ceremony at its booth in DC World, Singapore yesterday. The 500MW site for the data centre was first announced in June 2023 at Shape the World Summit here witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. TSG Group said in a press statement today that the high-density data centre will be designed to support next-generation digital infrastructure. It will be purpose-built to cater to cutting-edge applications such as Large Language Model (LLM) training and GPU as a Service (GaaS), making it a vital hub for artificial intelligence (AI) development and cloud computing services. Additionally, the data centre shall provide edge computing solutions along with Internet Data Exchange (IDE) services, enhancing data handling and processing at the edge of networks for faster and more efficient performance. Costing above US$130 million (RM617.84 million), the centre will operate on a robust 17MW power supply, offering significant energy capacity to power the demanding workloads of modern computing systems. It will be designed to support over 1,000 racks, with selective high-density racks delivering up to 125KW of power, providing the scalability required for high-performance computing environments. Construction will begin in the second quarter of 2025 and it is expected to be online by 2026. Through this project, the company aims to position itself as a key player in the region’s digital economy by delivering the infrastructure needed to support emerging technologies, cloud services, and AI-driven innovations. The facility’s strategic location and advanced design make it a cornerstone for data exchange, connectivity, and AI infrastructure development in East Malaysia. “As the pioneer developer heeding the call of the state government to develop large-scale data centre parks in Sarawak, in line with the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, TSG Group is proud to partner with Global Telecommunications Group to set up the first AI DC in Sarawak for our FutureData project,” said TSG chief executive officer Datuk Chris Chung. Global Telecommunications chairman Stanley Ling said with existing data centres in Peninsular Malaysia, having this next AI DC in Sarawak means the company now has a pan-Malaysian network of data centres. “We are excited about the vast potential growth in Sarawak, Sabah, and the rise of Kalimantan. The future is indeed Sarawak,” he said. Cyclect chief executive officer Melvin Tan said the company is proud and excited to be part of this pioneering project in Kuching, which marks a major milestone for AI-driven infrastructure in Borneo. “FutureData Park will set new standards in sustainability and digital innovation, providing the foundation for industries to leverage the power of AI and next-gen computing,” he said. TSG Group is a diversified group in Sarawak with transformative businesses in infrastructure and rural development, property development, oil palm plantation, Paulownia tree plantation for environmental sustainability, and future economy projects focusing on food, environment, data, and space exploration. In Singapore, TSG group’s interests are represented by its investment company DesignFutures Venture Pte Ltd. Among those present during the announcement were Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) CEO Chew Chang Guan, Dylan Yee (TSG Group), Lawrence Chong (FutureData), Sylvester Wong (Global Telecommunications), and Kenny Lau (Statos).
