Resources alone won’t guarantee success, says Sarawak premier

 

Abang Johari Openg said the state can develop its own education policies to create world-class talent.

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg says the state’s vast resources cannot guarantee its success and this was why it was crucial for the state to develop world-class talent.

In his Hari Raya address, Abang Johari said the state needs a well-trained and knowledgeable workforce, and that was why it was necessary to have a good education system.

“We can learn from the experiences of countries like Singapore and Japan which have become economic powers due to the strength of their human resources despite not having natural resources,” Borneo Post reported.

Abang Johari said Sarawak can develop its own education policies to create world-class talent, and this was what the state government was doing.

He cited the establishment of state-owned international schools that use the Cambridge syllabus. One such school has already opened in Kuching, while the development of four more are in the pipeline.

Abang Johari said Sarawak has four universities owned through Yayasan Sarawak, namely, Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University, University of Technology Sarawak and iCATS University College.

“Sarawak also has a training centre, Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak, which has campuses in several locations across the state.”

Sarawak has maintained the use of English for teaching science and mathematics, while it has also recognised the Unified Examination Certificate for the application of scholarships or jobs in the state civil service.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said he welcomed the RM5.6 billion federal allocation for Sarawak, and that the money will be used to upgrade roads, clinics and schools.

“Although the amount is insufficient, we should use it as best as possible to provide comfort to the people,” he said. - FMT