DUN Sarawak: Wilfred Yap suggests a public relations route that attracts global talent

KUCHING, 15 Oct: Sarawak is proposed to introduce Permanent Sustainer (PR) pathway for Sarawak's strategic talent as an endeavor to attract and retain international professional, researcher and innovator energy in high-tech fields.

The proposal aims to address the shortage of skilled labour, thereby ensuring human resource needs in line with Sarawak's economic development and aspirations to emerge as a high-value economy.

Member of the Sentosa City State Legislative Assembly (ADUN), Wilfred Yap Yau Sin said that this initiative is important to ensure large-scale investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure, renewable energy and digital transformation are supported by a specialist force capable of mobilizing the sector.

According to him, the proposed PR pathway could focus on individuals with specialized expertise in strategic fields such as green hydrogen, artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace and advanced biotechnology.

"This extension is not intended to replace local talent or affect employment opportunities of Sarawak's workforce.

"Instead, this move will create a dynamic ecosystem in our city centre that allows global experts to guide local graduates, accelerate knowledge transfer and increase domestic workforce capacity", he said while addressing Sarawak Budget 2027 at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference, today.

He explained that the presence of international experts has the potential to open up more space for local graduates to gain guidance, improve skills and meet high-value industry needs.

He said the approach could also help Sarawak develop an economy that offers more high-skilled employment opportunities with better income prospects.

According to Wilfred Yap, the effectiveness of state development investments depends not only on the provision of infrastructure, but also requires a highly skilled workforce to ensure that the facilities and technologies developed can be fully utilized.

"This approach will help transform Sarawak into a high-value economy that offers better incomes, thus ensuring our children do not have to leave Kuching or Sentosa City simply to get world class career opportunities", he said.

He said the proposal is among the measures that can be considered to strengthen Sarawak's competitiveness in attracting investment and accelerate the development of high-tech economic sector.