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.
