Dr Sim: Move Beyond Traditional Industries, Build High-income Talent

KUCHING (Sept 7): Sarawak must move beyond traditional industries and infrastructure development by building high-income talent and embracing new economic sectors, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said renewable energy, green energy, semiconductors and healthcare would be among key sectors driving the state’s next phase of economic growth.

“Business must move with the times. We cannot simply rely on the industries of the past. We must develop new economic sectors and create new opportunities,” he said in his speech when officiating at the opening of Wisma Hua Shang at Kuching City Mall Commercial Centre here yesterday.

Dr Sim said Sarawak’s transformation over the past decade had been significant, with the state now attracting greater attention and expectations from across Malaysia.

However, he said the state’s transformation should not be measured solely by infrastructure, but also its ability to develop highly skilled talent capable of creating economic value and gaining international recognition.

Dr Sim cited healthcare as an example, saying Kuching’s private hospitals were expanding rapidly and their combined bed capacity was expected to surpass that of government hospitals.

He said Sarawak was increasingly attracting patients from neighbouring countries, including Indonesia, while more Singaporeans could potentially seek treatment here as medical standards improved.

He highlighted the Sarawak Heart Centre, which has treated more than 300,000 patients over 25 years, including patients from Singapore.

Dr Sim said many of its cardiologists were trained in Sarawak and now served patients beyond the state, while the centre had established itself among the top 100 institutions in the Asia-Pacific region.

“People may say that its success is simply luck. But if you achieve the same result year after year, it is no longer luck. It is talent. It is value,” he said.

He also cited Sarawak General Hospital’s involvement in clinical research and trials as evidence of the state’s growing medical capabilities.

Dr Sim said Sarawak must continue developing knowledge and technical skills while cultivating wisdom, responsibility and a commitment to building the state.

He also pointed to the growing demand for data storage driven by artificial intelligence, citing Western Digital’s multibillion-ringgit investment in advanced data-storage technology as an example of emerging opportunities.

On the opening of Wisma Hua Shang, he said it reflected the spirit of unity, hard work and contribution that has driven the company and Chinese community in Sibu over the past three decades.

“We are here as part of the effort to build Sarawak. The spirit and mission we have heard today are all part of nation-building in Sarawak,” he said when officiating at the opening ceremony yesterday.

Dr Sim said Hua Shang had continued to grow over the past 30 years through vision, wisdom and, most importantly, unity.

“Therefore, I am not surprised by its success. This success did not simply fall from the sky. It came from hard work, values and a willingness to contribute,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of giving back to Sarawak, particularly through the return of Sarawakians who had achieved success overseas.

“Returning home is a value. It is about giving back and contributing to the place where we came from,” he said.

Dr Sim said the tradition of contributing to the community had long been practised by the Chinese community in Sibu, with those who had the means contributing financially while others contributed their time and manpower.

Also present was Hua Shang Economic Corporation (Sibu) Bhd founder Tan Sri Datuk Tiong Su Kouk.

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