Kuching: The Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) has been urged to assist the state government in producing more world-class experts in the digital economy and emerging technologies to strengthen Sarawak's position as a global economic player.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasized the need for SABERKAS leadership to create more opportunities for its members through youth development programmes, particularly in technology and future industries. He highlighted a similar approach that was implemented under the leadership of the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, where Sarawakian youths were sent for industrial training in high-tech fields in Silicon Valley, United States.

Abang Johari stressed that Sarawak's future depended on the ability of its youth to demonstrate strong performance and create new products, which could help Sarawak make its mark globally. He was speaking at the 18th SABERKAS Triennial General Assembly.

He further noted that Sarawak required more local experts to support its transition towards a new economy driven by digital technology, clean energy, semiconductors, food security, and data analytics. Due to the state's relatively small population, there is a need to explore opportunities in regional and East Asian markets beyond the domestic scope.

Providing free higher education at Sarawak government-owned institutions is among the measures being taken to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting the state's economic transformation, Abang Johari stated.

He added that local expertise was also necessary to harness Sarawak's energy resources, including hydropower, gas, solar, and biomass, while also increasing agricultural productivity through the adoption of new technologies.