Photo by Sam Fong/The Edge

KUCHING (July 29): The government has proposed that Sarawak becomes Malaysia’s hub for the aerospace industry, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He said the proposal was one of the discussion points during the Sarawak Industry Coordination Joint Committee Meeting here on Monday.

Zafrul said the state had shown great potential in the industry, especially in the commitment to produce skilled workers for the sector.

“Sarawak has previously made an announcement (commitment) to produce talents in universities [in Sarawak] focusing on the aerospace industry.

“So, we think that there will be talents available, and in terms of geography, Sarawak’s location is excellent as it is close to Nusantara (Indonesia’s capital), near South Korea, Japan and even Australia,” he told reporters after the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who is also the state's international trade, industry and investment minister.

Zafrul said the proposal to develop a new international airport in Kuching, as well as the establishment of a Sarawak-owned airline, could also help the development of the aerospace industry in Bumi Kenyalang.

He said his ministry, via the Malaysian National Aerospace Industry Corporation (Naico Malaysia), will also work with Sarawak in achieving the development agenda for the industry.

“We also see that the aerospace industry will be able to open up opportunities in the maintenance, repair and overhaul industry, as well as in terms of the manufacturing sector, because the aerospace industry requires companies to be involved in the manufacturing sector,” he said.

Previously, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was reported to have said that Sarawak will open an aerospace training centre in preparation for a serious involvement in the aviation industry.

Abang Johari said the training centre would be established in Tanjung Bako, Kuching, while theory classes would be held at the Sarawak Centre of Technological Excellence in Lundu.

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