AI-driven healthcare takes centre stage at Miri’s KSC Summit 2025
(From left) Tuong, Lee, Dong and Teo with the signed MoUs. MIRI (Nov 23): Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to drive the next wave of healthcare innovation in Sarawak, with Miri positioned to lead regional development under the Kenyalang Smart City (KSC) initiative. State Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the theme of this year’s KSC Summit, ‘AI + Healthcare: From Research to Real World Impact’, reflects a global shift toward data-driven healthcare and presents major opportunities for Sarawak. “AI is reshaping diagnostics, therapeutics and public health systems worldwide. For Miri and Sarawak, this is the moment to translate research into solutions that improve health outcomes,” he said at the opening of the KSC Summit 2025 here. A key highlight was the growing collaboration in integrative and AI-supported medicine, particularly Fudan University Joint Research Centre for Innovative Drug Development in Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine + AI Medical Experience Centre known as ‘THE HALL’, which is supported by Curtin University Malaysia and led by Imasa Dinasti. Lee said the centre demonstrates how AI and integrative medicine can work together to develop new therapeutics and improve clinical outcomes. Meanwhile, two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the summit to strengthen Miri’s position in AI healthcare. The first, involving Imasa Dinasti, Fudan University and Curtin Malaysia, formalises cooperation in AI-driven integrative medicine and innovative drug development within the KSC ecosystem. The second MoU, between Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering & Science and Fudan University’s Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, covers joint research, academic exchanges, co-supervision and scholarships. Lee said both agreements will nurture local talent and expand Sarawak’s access to world-leading expertise and facilities. He stressed that AI healthcare is a core pillar of the wider KSC initiative, aiming to build a healthier, more resilient and inclusive society through advanced technologies, data analytics and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The summit, he added, supports Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, especially in digital transformation, education and research excellence. “With commitment and collaboration, we can translate cutting-edge research into real-world impact,” he said, while commending Curtin Malaysia, Fudan University, Imasa Dinasti and the TAK Group for advancing high-impact innovation. Also present at the summit’s opening ceremony were Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebatian Ting; Imasa Dinasti chairman Teo Ah Khing; Fudan University’s Institute of Integrative Medicine director Prof Dong Jing Cheng; and Curtin Malaysia deputy pro vice-chancellor Prof Tuong-Thuy Vu. Source
Fudan research hub a crucial step to ease doctor shortage in Sarawak, says Dr Sim
Teo (fifth left) presents a souvenir to Dr Sim after the official launching of KSC Summit 2025. MIRI (Nov 23): The establishment of the Fudan University Institute of Integrative Medicine Research Development Centre and its AI Medical Research Hub here marks an important step in Sarawak’s efforts to address its longstanding shortage of medical professionals, said Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The Deputy Premier said the collaboration with the top Chinese institution forms part of the state’s strategy to strengthen its medical training pipeline, including plans for a medical school that could help produce some of the 2,500 doctors needed in Sarawak and across Malaysia. “That is why this Fudan University research hub is a good beginning. Hopefully, with the medical school helping some of the 2,500 doctors, it will contribute to easing the shortage of doctors in Sarawak and Malaysia,” he said at the launching of the Kenyalang Smart City (KSC) Summit 2025 here. Dr Sim, also State Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the initiative aligns with Sarawak’s transition from resource-based industries to high-value sectors driven by talent, technology and research. “We do not want to remain an energy basket. We want to become a centre of talent,” he said, adding that Sarawak’s rapid progress in digital and high-tech development had attracted strong international interest. He also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) not only in modern medical practice, but also in advancing research into Borneo’s biodiversity for pharmaceutical and therapeutic development. Dr Sim commended Imasa Dinasti Sdn Bhd and its chairman Teo Ah Khing for driving the KSC initiative, and emphasised the importance of long-term investment in youth to sustain the state’s talent development agenda. Meanwhile, Teo said the summit marks a turning point for Miri as it moves from its historic role as the birthplace of Malaysia’s oil and gas industry into a future hub for AI, integrative medicine and biomedical innovation. He noted that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Tun Openg approved the KSC plans within six days, underscoring the state government’s commitment to developing new knowledge-based industries. “Kenyalang Smart City is not only a project. It is a blueprint for future cities in Sarawak,” he said. Teo, who is KSC Summit 2025 organising chairman, said the Sarawak government’s allocation of a landmark building in central Miri to house the Fudan Centre demonstrated strong and proactive leadership. He also praised the contributions of Fudan University’s Prof Dong Jingcheng, whose global standing in integrative medicine has helped shape the vision for the research hub. The summit also coincided with the 14th International Conference on Traditional and Modern Medicine, which saw participation from medical professionals from Malaysia, China, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore — a development Teo said reflects growing confidence in Miri as a venue for medical thought leadership. “Miri has produced global leaders across many fields. We intend to build on that momentum,” he said. Source
Integrate ESG principles into economic, industrial policies for business sustainability, says S’wak deputy minister
MIRI (May 28): Integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles by the Sarawak government into its economic and industrial policies underscores the emphasis on sustainable development and responsible governance, said Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred). Speaking at the Environmental, Social and Governance Training workshop here today, he said this commitment fosters an environment where businesses can thrive while adhering to high standards of ESG compliance, embedding these principles into the fabric of Sarawak’s industrial and commercial activities. He noted that Sarawak is rapidly becoming a magnet for foreign investors, with notable expansion projects and substantial investments underway in the state, and Sarawak’s journey towards ESG compliance is aligned with the global shift towards sustainability. “We must recognise that our local actions have global implications. By adopting and adhering to ESG principles, Sarawak can set a benchmark for other regions and states, showcasing that economic development and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand,” he said, adding this resonates with Sarawak’s Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 roadmap to become a thriving, resilient and sustainable region, emphasising innovation, inclusivity and environmental stewardship. Furthermore, Sarawak’s dedication to sustainable development has attracted global attention, garnering favourable ratings from respected international rating agencies such as Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Services. These endorsements, he pointed out, validate Sarawak’s strategy to attract high-quality investments and drive large-scale development, all while adhering to ESG principles. In addition, it has implemented robust policies and procedures to ensure transparency, integrity and good governance, with a strong focus on improving the ease of doing business in accordance with ESG principles. One of the steps taken by Mintred is training workshops which serve as a platform to equip industries and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement effective ESG strategies so that businesses remain competitive and sustainable in the global market, he said. He commended the organisers, InvestSarawak, who have been working closely with his ministry, UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB) and Alliance Bank for holding this significant event in Miri. He said the support of speakers, participants, business chambers and associations underscored their collective dedication and commitment to this cause. “Your efforts are crucial in driving the ESG agenda forward and ensuring that Sarawak remains at the forefront of sustainable development,” he added.
Miri sets up command centre as partof smart city initiative
Miri, May 29: Miri City is now embarking on the second phase of the Smart City Initiatives which will include the Miri City Command Centre, expansion of Safe Park and Safe City Initiatives and further digitisation of Miri City Council processes and documentation.Unveiling this, Miri City Council (MCC) mayor Adam Yii said Miri City is fortunate that it was selected as the pioneer city for the Smart City Initiatives by Sarawak government on Jan 30, 2020 and a total of 10 smart applications have been successfully implemented under Phase 1 of the Miri Smart City Initiatives so far. He said Miri City presently has a population of about 350,000, and a land size of about 5,200 sq km.“To put the land size in perspective, Miri City is about 7 times the size of Singapore since the land size of Singapore is about 734.3 sq km,” said Yii at the Kenyalang Smart City Summit organised by Imasa Dinasti Sdn Bhd, the developer of Kenyalang Smart City (KSC) Development. The event attracted over 50 local and international investors from the Middle East and Asia, including the Republic of China, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia with the purpose to learn more about Kenyalang Smart City Development and associated investment opportunities. “Miri City is in dire need of a proper convention centre in order to host bigger events. Therefore, the convention centre included in the Kenyalang Smart City Development Project is much welcomed,” said Yii.For the foreign guests, Yii who is also Pujut assemblyman, gave a short historical account of Miri City.Miri City came to existence basically when oil was found, developed and produced in 1910 by Shell with the first well drilled on top of the Canada Hill. The hill was named Canada Hill by the local people, because the first drillers working there were Canadians. Due to its historical significance, the Grand Old Lady and a petroleum museum were erected on the site. Miri from then on developed from a small fishing village to what it is now, and has been commonly known as the “oil town”. “Interestingly, Shell as an oil company also has its origin in Miri. Shell was a trading company before it became an oil company,” said Yii. During WWII, the first point of landing by the Imperial Japanese Army on the island of Borneo was also in Miri where the objective was to take over the oilfields of Miri. “And due to the presence of a sizable community of expatriates and their families working and living in Miri since the discovery of oil, Miri has a much more cosmopolitan character as compared to other places in Sarawak,” said Yii. Also present were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy MTCP Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting and other dignitaries. – DayakDaily
Abang Johari: New Kuching International Airport modelled after Hamad International Airport in Qatar
KUCHING, June 7 — The new Kuching International Airport (KIA) will be modelled on the Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, Premier Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said here today. He said the state government is engaging consultants, who may be involved in the airport construction in Doha, to develop the planning for the construction of the new KIA. “The planning is expected to be completed within three years, and after which construction work will begin and how much the estimated costs will be known,” he told reporters. He was asked after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Innocement Sdn Bhd and PMW Industries Sdn Bhd on collaboration for the development of a manufacturing facility for the production of concrete products in Tanjung Manis in Sarikei Division. Abang Johari said the state government proposed building a new international standard airport based on the state’s long-term needs. “We want Kuching to become a hub with the airport that is capable of handling 15 million arrivals a year. “If we look at the development in South-east Asia, what we need is an airport with international standards equipped with the latest facilities including state-of-art information technology,” he added. He stressed the airport will become one of the catalysts to spur the state’s economy, especially in terms of air connectivity that will boost the tourism industry. “What I am saying is that we have two major projects in the pipeline that will expand our economy beyond 2030. “One is an airport and another a deep sea port at Tanjung Embang in western Sarawak,” he said. He said these two are strategic matters in the state government’s effort to make Kuching become a hub, saying that Sarawak is on the western part of Borneo which is along the shipping and flight routes from the east to the west.
Malaysia’s Sarawak seeks billion-dollar gains in global decarbonisation market
Source: Malaysia’s Sarawak seeks billion-dollar gains in global decarbonisation market
Fed government officially green lights Sarawak’s cancer centre, construction to start year-end
KUCHING, July 9: The Federal government has officially approved the establishment of the Sarawak Cancer Centre in Kota Samarahan, says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. “I just got the news today. I was informed that the Federal government has agreed for us to set up our cancer centre,” he said. He said the Sarawak government would proceed with the construction, which costs over a billion ringgit, using funds from the State coffers, and the Federal government would reimburse the amount as welfare assistance later. Abang Johari said once Sarawak has its own cancer centre here, cancer patients in the State would no longer have to travel to Kuala Lumpur and spend a fortune on transportation. “If we rely on Kuala Lumpur, it’s very costly, and people may not able to get the treatment. “One is going there, and the family may follow. The fare will be high. Going over to KL could cost over RM1,000 and the economy is bad now. “So, being the head of the State government, I told the Federal government that as long as they agree, we build first and they’ll reimburse later,” he said during the 8th Asia Pacific Conference on Public Health (APCPH) official opening and gala dinner here today. When speaking to the press after the event, Abang Johari added that the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre is scheduled to begin by the end of the year. He said the cancer centre would be equipped with 300 beds, similar to each of the three new private hospital that are coming up in Sarawak in the next five years. Also present at the even were APCPH via vice chariman Dr Tahir Aris, Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang, and Kuching South City COuncil (MBKS) mayor representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Premier: Miri Port to propel northern Sarawak’s economy, rival Dubai after 2030
MIRI (Sept 18): The Miri Port has the potential to become a key port linking Sarawak’s northern trade to global markets, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said apart from that, it can spur economic opportunities and further accelerate development in Sarawak’s northern region, including the hinterlands. “The people of Miri have long dreamed of developing this port. However, the high costs and questions over its economic feasibility kept it on hold for years. “Datuk Amar (Douglas Uggah Embas) and his team met with me to discuss the project, and I had already considered the idea, as we had always wanted to build a port in the northern region but the path forward was unclear,” he said. Abamg Johari was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the proposed RM208.9 million training bund and dredging project at Batang Baram Delta, at the Miri Port here today. Abang Johari said that the dredging project to deepen the access channel would adopt the latest BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) technology which is already used in developed countries in Europe. “Hence, we set aside an allocation amounting RM280 million even when the cost is only RM208 million. We are putting aside the remaining funds for future projects,” he added. He noted that the investment will return to Sarawak over time given the vast potential and opportunities the project brings after its completion by year 2026. Looking forward to the future, Abang Johari envisioned Miri Port not only able to handle various types of cargo, but also be turned into a resort that would attract tourists, potentially competing with the world’s renowned tourist destination like Dubai. “If this area becomes a resort, it could be a rival to Dubai. They have the Palm (Jumeirah), so our port will not only welcome cargo and vessels, but also cruises that bring in tourists. “We will build buildings, hotels there. With that, we will have a major port that is on par with Singapore,” he said, adding that this would be materialised after 2030. Additionally, he said the Miri hinterland, which is rich in palm oil, would also benefit greatly from the port as transportation costs would be reduced, resulting in higher profit margins. He said that the Baram Delta has also been identified as a Carbon Storage area, creating opportunities for the Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) industry. He added that the port would also feature containerisation facilities, further boosting its capacity to handle a variety of cargo. “As for our pipeline, Sarawak will manage its own gas resources. Our gas resources are our right, despite some issues with Petronas at the moment. This means that we will develop a state gas roadmap including here in Kuala Baram, and this is one of the new industries,” he said. He stressed that for Sarawakian to enjoy these developments, the people must remain united and support the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). “As long as GPS is here, we will continue to have new ideas, which we call innovation where we constantly look for ways outside the box to develop Sarawak,” he said. Meanwhile, Abang Johari witnessed the formal exchange of contract documents between Miri Port Authority and its joint venture partners Rimbun Prima Sdn Bhd and China Communications Construction Company (M) Sdn Bhd. Also present at the function were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Transport Minister Dato’ Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and Miri Port Authority chairman Datuk Paulus Palu Ngumbang.
Sarawak’s rapid growth, lofty plans should not be seen as desire for independence: Premier Abang Johari
Led by Premier Abang Johari Openg, Sarawak is making moves to cement its status as one of Malaysia’s most important states and has likened itself to the economic powerhouse region of Bavaria in Germany. KUCHING: In a lounge on the highest floor of the Wisma Bapa administrative building near downtown Kuching in Malaysia’s Sarawak state, the walls are black and marble with ornate gold trims. The floor is fully carpeted, the ceiling boasts chandeliers, and sofas line every corner of the spacious room. The lounge is part of the office of Sarawak’s Premier Abang Johari Openg, a key figure in the autonomous state. Stacked on coffee tables are news magazines outlining Mr Abang Johari’s achievements and grand ambitions for Sarawak, which has massive oil and gas reserves and is well on track to have its own port, airline and financial institution. And these grand plans have given the Premier the confidence to tout his state’s prowess and positioning in Malaysia as similar to the Bavaria region in Germany – known as an economic powerhouse there. In recent years, Sarawak has retaken Bintulu Port from the federal government, bought over regional airline MASwings from the national flag carrier Malaysia Airlines, and is in the final stages of acquiring a controlling stake in Affin Bank. These moves are necessary for Sarawak to “go forward”, while the state’s riches mean it can afford to give back to its people, Mr Abang Johari said in a wide-ranging interview with CNA in August. In December 2023, he unveiled a plan to provide free tertiary education for Sarawakians in state-owned universities from 2026. The idea of free tertiary education for Sarawak natives was first mooted by Mr Abang Johari as part of his birthday wish in August 2022. “For any country to develop, you need quality human resources, and that is where I think with good education behind them, you can get people out of poverty,” he told CNA at Wisma Bapa. “It is more so when you have the economic ecosystem that allows them to make use of what they know to develop further.”
Solar on track for another record year, says report
PARIS (Sept 19): The solar industry is due to grow by nearly a third in 2024, beating forecasts as it adds 593 gigawatts of additional capacity, the majority of them in China, according to a report released on Thursday by the Ember think tank. “This is a 29 per cent increase compared to the previous year, maintaining strong growth following an estimated 87 per cent surge in 2023,” the report said. “Yet again, solar power is growing faster than people expected, as it establishes itself as the cheapest source of electricity globally,” said Euan Graham, electricity data analyst at Ember. Illustrating the lightning speed at which solar is growing, Ember projections show that new solar capacity added in 2024 alone will be more than the 540 GW of additional coal power added around the world since 2010. China remains the world leader in the sector and is expected to add 334 GW, or 56 per cent of the world total in 2024. It is followed by the United States, India, Germany, and Brazil, with the top five countries accounting for 75 per cent of the new solar capacity in 2024, the report said. Grid capacity and battery storage were key to maintaining growth in the sector, the report said. “As solar becomes more affordable and accessible, ensuring sufficient grid capacity and developing battery storage is crucial for handling power distribution and supporting solar outside of peak sunlight hours,” it said. “By addressing these challenges and sustaining growth, solar power could continue to exceed expectations for the remainder of the decade.” — AFP
