APRIL 2025
Sarawak Strengthens ‘New Economy’ Vision Through Strategic Collaboration With Universiti Malaya
KUCHING, 23 April 2025 – Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, today officiated the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the establishment of the Kursi Derma Kekal Yang Amat Berhormat Premier Sarawak at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
The collaboration between the Sarawak Government and Universiti Malaya signals a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing research, academic excellence, and policy development in key New Economy sectors.
“It is a great pleasure to be here today to witness and commemorate this agreement. This event marks an important step in our State’s journey toward building a better and more sustainable future in the area of ‘New Economy’ and the relevant matters related thereto,” said Abang Johari in his keynote address.
He highlighted that Sarawak’s future hinges on its ability to lead, not follow, in a rapidly changing global landscape shaped by new technologies, green energy and innovative business models.
“We are not just setting up a Chair. We are building a strong team that will focus on new ideas, do important research, and help guide how we make laws and rules for the future in this field,” he said.
The Premier emphasized that the Chair will focus on key areas such as the green economy, including carbon trading and carbon credits aimed at environmental protection and pollution reduction; the hydrogen economy, including clean energy sources like bioenergy and hydropower; biotech healthcare, which leverages scientific innovation to improve health, medicine, and disease prevention; and artificial intelligence (AI), which enhances efficiency and productivity while requiring proper governance to ensure fairness and safety.
All these efforts will be aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support climate change mitigation.
Abang Johari also said that the Chair will spearhead an annual Kuliah Yang Amat Berhormat Premier Sarawak lecture series, which aims to promote public discourse, policy dialogue, and knowledge-sharing among policymakers, academics, industry experts, and the wider community.
“This Lecture Series will bring together not only policymakers and industry leaders, but also the academic community who play a vital role in shaping ideas and informing decisions,” he said.
The Premier added that all research under the Chair will be published in recognized international journals and be fully accessible to the Sarawak Government and its agencies, ensuring informed policymaking and evidence-based governance.
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia’s top-ranking university, will host the Chair. Its Vice-Chancellor, Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, signed the agreement alongside the Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, representing the state.
Also present at the event were Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak State Secretary, Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department for Corporate Affairs and UKAS, Datuk Abdullah Haji Saidol; former State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion; State Legal Advisor Dato Sri Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid; and Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman.