No venture, no progress
Abang Jo says necessary to take risks to move forward but not recklessly
KUCHING: Sarawak needs to take risks if it wants to move forward in today’s fast paced digital era, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He pointed out that if the state were to continue playing it safe, it will not be able to keep up with the changing digital world.
However, he acknowledged that embracing risk- taking does not mean doing things recklessly.
“When it comes to new discoveries, there is always a risk so this is where we have to keep ourselves abreast with the latest technology,” he said at the opening ceremony of the 11th International Unimas STEM Engineering Conference ( EnCon) 2018 at a leading hotel here yesterday.
Citing his recent announcement on hydrogen fuel cell buses which are expected to debut on the roads of Kuching City by March next year as pilot vehicles for the state as an example, Abang Johari said this project no doubt has its risks and this is where research and development come into play to ensure that the project follows through. He is also aware that the decision to provide hydrogen fuel cell buses has raised a few eyebrows, including drawing comments from Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Chong Chieng Jen and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
“There are some people asking why don’t we use conventional buses instead. But to me, if you don’t [take risks], you will always be behind people. If you don’t do
When it comes to new discoveries, there is always a risk so this is where we have to keep ourselves abreast with the latest technology.
your research, you cannot be the fi rst one to discover.
“We want to take the risks but these risks must be calculated. This is the direction the state government is going towards to.”
As such, he said conferences such as EnCon, which gathers science and technology experts from around the world here, enabled the state to gain new insight in science and technology.
“In this conference, I’m sure you are able to share your various expertises in the field of science, technology and environment, and you can innovate and ultimately produce new products that can be used in the market and for us to move forward.”
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
MIRI: Students must look ahead and be bold in taking up new disciplines in order to thrive in the new global economic landscape.
Officiating at the presentation of Yayasan Sarawak’s student excellence awards ceremony at Curtin University Malaysia here yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said: “Identify a strategic discipline of studies because new disciplines that embrace technology are saleable, and are demanded throughout the world, such as cyber security analysts and experts.
“We need a lot of programmers and data analysts in big data analysis. I am not saying other courses are not relevant but these are additional disciplines on top of other courses such as engineering, arts, medicine or law.
“These new disciplines will unearth the students’ special talents and skills that are employable for the new market development; otherwise we will have unemployable graduates.
“Unlike during our time when there were only engineering, law and arts, today you have various new disciplines that can bring you to a new worldwide development.”
Abang Johari said that the research field was also important, and hoped that after the students have received their first degree, they would go for postgraduate studies and conduct research because Sarawak is blessed with resources.
On scholarships and loans, the chief minister, who is also Yayasan Sarawak chairman, said they had sent 931 students to Curtin University Malaysia since the foundation’s establishment, and would continue to do so.
“The rejection rate for Yayasan Sarawak students is very low, and if you have an excellent result, you will get the scholarship. If not, you will get a loan from Yayasan Sarawak.
“What we need now are creative and innovative students, and we hope that one day we can be like Estonia, a very small eastern European country which is 100 per cent digitalised. That is the way of life we Sarawakians want to have in the future.”
Yayasan Sarawak director Azmi Bujang also spoke at the event. He said 18 schools in Miri division received Yayasan Sarawak Excellent Student Award for SPM and STPM, which came with a Bank Simpanan Nasional ( BSN) premium savings certificate worth RM500 for SPM and RM700 for STPM.
Abang Johari also presented parent- teacher association grants worth RM10,000 each to five schools, namely SMK Luar Bandar Miri, SMK Merbau, SMK Luak, SMK Long Lama, and SMK Bekenu.
Curtin University Malaysia pro chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, pro vicechancellor and chief executive of Curtin University Malaysia Professor Jim Mienczakowski, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, and Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat were among those present at the event.