Sarawak strengthening bilateral cooperation on AI, semiconductor innovation in Bavaria

GARCHING, June 23 2026:  Sarawak is strengthening its strategic ties in emerging technologies following a high-level technical engagement with Professor Dr Hussam Amrouch, a leading figure in Germany's advanced computing sector.

Caption: Deputy Sarawak Secretary Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel (centre) leading Sarawak delegation in discussions with Bavaria government officials

The Sarawak delegation, led by Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, met at the Siemens Technology Centre Garching to discuss bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor innovation, advanced computing, and sustainable digital infrastructure.

Dr Amrouch serves as the Chair of AI Processor Design (AI-Pro) and Founding Director of the Munich Centre of Advanced Technology and AI Chips (MACHT-AI), institutions under the Bavarian Ministry of Science and Research and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The discussions underscored how Bavaria’s cutting-edge expertise in AI chip design and advanced technology could complement Sarawak’s unique resource profile.

Dr Amrouch highlighted ongoing efforts by the Bavarian Government and the European Union to establish a sovereign AI ecosystem to anchor future technological breakthroughs, noting that Sarawak's strategic positioning makes it an ideal partner.

Key focus areas explored for potential collaboration include leveraging Sarawak’s growing aspirations in the semiconductor and microelectronics sectors as a strategic area for mutual growth.

Discussions also explored utilising Sarawak’s abundant renewable energy resources to pioneer Green AI" and sustainable digital infrastructure.

A major talking point during the engagement was the potential to develop carbon-neutral AI systems. By tapping into Sarawak's competitive advantage in renewable energy, the partnership could pave the way for energy-intensive AI data centers and semiconductor manufacturing processes to operate with minimal environmental impact.

This engagement reflects Sarawak's broader commitment to positioning itself as a key player in the global technology value chain.

Ten-day Sarawak Agrofest to be held in Bintulu, says minister Dr Stephen Rundi

KUCHING, June 23 2026:  The Sarawak Agrofest 2026 (SAF 2026)  will take place in Bintulu from September 25 to October 4, 2026, with the opening ceremony to be officiated by Premier Abang Johari Openg.

Caption: Dr Stephen Rundi Utom (seated, centre) with his two deputies  Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (left) and Martin Ben at press conference

Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said Bintulu is chosen as the venue due to its strategic location in the heart of Sarawak, thus facilitating access for visitors from all over the state.

“Previous organising experiences have shown a very encouraging response, and we are confident that SAF 2026 will continue to record greater success,” he told a press conference today.

He said the festival is targeting the attendance of 800,000 visitors throughout the 10-day event, in addition to generating sales value reaching RM6.5 million.

Its main focus is to accelerate the transition of the agricultural sector from traditional methods to the use of smart technologies such as automation and digitalisation.

“This festival is not just a sales platform, but an important platform for the government in driving the paradigm shift of the agricultural sector towards high-tech modernisation,” he explained.

Dr Rundi said SAF 2026 will feature 14 main segments including exhibition pavilions of government and private agencies, agro trade, agro fresh, agro tech, agro input, e-shop farmers, Sarawak Kitchen as well as various commodity sites such as paddy, fish, pineapple, sago, nipah and livestock.

In addition, an international Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (COSAF) 2026, will also be held from  August 3 to 6 in Bintulu in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak, Bintulu Campus, themed “Feeding the Future: Fostering Sustainable Food”.

 Awards will be presented to the outstanding Sarawak Agro-entrepreneur Icon, Youth Agro-entrepreneur, Best Food Crop Entrepreneur, Best Agro-based Industry, Best Inland Fisheries, Best Area Farmers’ Organisation and Best Breeder.

Dr Rundi’s two deputies Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Martin Ben and Permanent Secretary of the ministry Sirai Daha were present at the press conference.

Instill a deeper understanding of Sarawak beyond what are contained in school history textbooks, Dr Sim tells teachers

BATU KAWA, June 23 2026: BATU KAWA, June 23 2026: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian has urged teachers to instill in students a deeper understanding of Sarawak beyond what is contained in history textbooks.

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian says that students should have a proper understanding of the formation of Malaysia

He said this is to assist the Sarawak government in nurturing a stronger and more confident sense of nation-building among the future generations.

He added many important aspects of Sarawak’s history, identity and contemporary development may not be adequately covered in existing school textbooks, but this should not prevent educators from imparting such knowledge to the younger generation, particularly students.

“Students should have a proper understanding of the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak’s position within the Federation of Malaysia, Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), non-negotiable rights and safeguards accorded to Sarawak, as well as Sarawak’s development achievements and future direction.

“These are all important areas of knowledge for our students,” he said when presenting education grants to Chinese primary schools, national primary, secondary schools and independent Chinese secondary schools within his Batu Kawa state constituency.

He noted that the current Malaysian school curriculum provides only limited coverage on Sarawak’s history and related matters, making it necessary for teachers to complement classroom learning with additional information on Sarawak.

Dr Sim stressed that the Sarawak government places great emphasis on education and regards Chinese primary schools and independent Chinese secondary schools as integral components of the Sarawak's education system.

“Over the years, the Sarawak government has consistently provided financial assistance and even allocated land to support the development of Chinese schools.

“The Sarawak government has also been providing annual grants to independent Chinese secondary schools,”  he said, adding that since 2014, a total of RM102 million in annual allocations has been channelled to these schools, reflecting the Sarawak government’s commitment to treating all communities fairly and ensuring that no ethnic group's education is neglected.

He added that the state government is investing substantially in the implementation of its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) to ensure that every student has the opportunity to pursue higher education.

“IIn this regard, I hope teachers will continue to devote themselves wholeheartedly to nurturing students so that every child can play a meaningful role in Sarawak’s Nation-Building efforts,” he said.

Dr Sim said a total of RM13 million had been allocated to schools within his constituency from 2016 to 2025.

The schools are SJK Chung Hua Rantau Panjang, SJK Chung Hua Sungai Tapang Ulu, SJK Chung Hua Sungai Moyan, SJK Chung Hua Syn San Too, SJK Chung Hua Kim Choo Seng, SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa, SJKC Stapok, SJKC Sungai Tapang Kuching (MJC, Batu Kawa), SK Rantau Panjang, SK Jalan Arang, SMK Batu Kawa, SK Stapok, SK Garland, SK RPR Batu Kawa,SM Min Lit and SMK Jalan Arang.

Abang Johari meeting with GPS MPs and Senators in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23  2026 – Premier Abang Johari Openg last night chaired a joint meeting with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Members of Parliament and Senators in conjunction with the Parliament session which began yesterday.

Caption: Premier and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg chairing a meeting attended by GPS MPs and Senators

The meeting focused on current issues related to Sarawak's development, the implementation of strategic projects and efforts to champion Sarawak's rights and interests at the federal level.

According to Sarawakku, the official Facebook account of the Premier's Department, the meeting also served as an important platform to coordinate GPS's stance and strategy in strengthening Sarawak's voice at the national level.

In the meeting, the premier emphasised the importance of cooperation, unity and continuous commitment among GPS elected representatives to ensure that Sarawak's development agenda can be implemented effectively for the well-being of the people.

Parliament will sit from June 22 to 16 July 2026 for 16 days.

Meanwhile, the Dewan Negara is scheduled to sit from July 20 to August 4, 2026 for 10 days. The previous session of the Dewan Rakyat ended on March 3 after lasting 20 days.

Abang Johari keeping close to his chest on the dissolution date of the Sarawak State Assembly

BAU, June 22 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg is keeping  close to his chest on the dissolution date of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) to pave the way for the state election.

Caption: Premier and  GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg refuses to give any indication on the timing of the dissolution of the state assembly

He simply refused to give any indication when pressed by reporters after the opening of the Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB) today.

“When is the (state) election? I don’t know either. So I cannot respond to your question,” Abang Johari said, quoted by  online news portal Dayak Daily.

He said his focus now is on “other priorities”

However, political pundits believe that the coming Sarawak state election could be held in November.

The term of the current SLA expires in February next year.

The election date could be clearer after Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has its three regional conventions between July and September this year.

Based on past experiences, most of the state elections were held in November.

The last state election was held in December 2021 soon after the lifting of the state of Covid-19 emergency.

Holding state election in December is rather rare because the month is often associated with wet season and, therefore, unsuitable.

Meanwhile, the premier said a building in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, has been identified  to be used as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office, which will serve as a hub for economic and trade links between Sarawak and the region.

He said the office will be developed according to the same model as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office currently operating in Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.

"We have identified a building in Pontianak to be the office of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office like the ones we built in Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The model is the same and we will place officers and staff there.

"Because there are these facilities, it can be a hub of communication between us, Sarawak and West Kalimantan," he said.