Sarawak Targets Green Economy, AI, Human Capital To Drive PCDS 2030

KAPIT, June 27 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is repositioning its development model toward a low‑carbon, technology-led economy to realise the Post‑COVID‑19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), focusing on the green economy, renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and human capital development.

Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state is transitioning from a traditional resource‑based approach to one that leverages technology and aligns with global sustainability goals.

He said forests, previously a source of timber, are increasingly valued as carbon sinks, opening opportunities for carbon trading in line with the mechanism under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

"This is a major change in the world economy when forests and trees have economic value through carbon trading based on international standards," he told a press conference after opening the Kapit Division Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) Programme 2026 here today.

He said the state is adopting AI, including large language models, to boost administrative efficiency and public service delivery.

Abang Johari said Sarawak aims to become a regional green‑energy hub anchored by hydroelectricity and natural gas, with ongoing discussions between Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and Petronas expected to advance the energy sector.

To build human capital, he said, the government is rolling out 64 education and training programmes across science, technology, management, finance and psychology to develop a highly skilled workforce.

On the development in Kapit, Abang Johari said improved road connectivity has stimulated commerce but also produced new congestion on land.

"Previously, congestion only occurred at the jetty because transportation depended on the river. Now that the road is completed, congestion occurs on land because more people come to do business, work and carry out various activities," he said.

Abang Johari said the state government is upgrading nearly 5,700 km of logging roads over five to six years for public use.

He said Kapit is also a key hydroelectric generation area and is being developed as a sustainable green city with a distinct identity.

 "We want Kapit to be a sustainable green city with its own identity, in line with the changing world economy, which is now shifting to green and low-carbon energy," he said.

He said Sarawak will broaden its clean‑energy mix by expanding hydroelectricity, solar, energy storage and biomass projects, in addition to continuing the implementation of free higher education and human capital development in the fields of AI, green energy and the digital economy.

Feedback from the Kapit Division Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) Programme will be used as the basis for formulating state government policies through a bottom-up approach to ensure that the development implemented truly meets the needs of the people, he added.

--BERNAMA