KUCHING: Sarawak is eyeing to market its chips within the Asean region.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that Sarawak is well-positioned to tap into a vast market in the region as it is within reach to everywhere, including East Asia, Korea, and Japan.
“Almost half of the world is within a five-hour flight radius from us. We must have the willpower to cover half of the world market.
“I believe we have that advantage. We just need to train our ‘anak Sarawak’,” he said in his speech during the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) 10th anniversary dinner at Waterfront Hotel Kuching last night (Oct 23).
Explaining further, he said that chips are vital in aerospace, petrochemical, shipping, and many more.
“Our economy is based on that. Moreover, the designs of the chips are getting smaller and very minute, that is why we need special skills (to design it),” he said.
Abang Johari emphasised the need for more chip designers in the state.
According to him, through the state-owned company, Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) Semiconductors Sdn Bhd, the state has produced around 100 chip designers.
With CENTEXS evolving beyond its early focus (youth centre), he said, it is now set to train postgraduate students.
“Those who have a basic degree, for instance in aerospace, finance, or renewable energy, must be trained on the application of technology.
“This is very important and CENTEXS can provide that training. The centre is a tool for us to realise our vision (in producing more chip designers).
“Having said that, I hope that in 10 years to come, CENTEXS will produce very smart ‘anak Sarawak’ in a new era of world economy. Hopefully, we will continue to move towards a new era,” he said.
