Sibu SEZ: Better air links, high-tech infrastructure key to attracting investors

SIBU (Oct 26): Improved air connectivity and high-tech infrastructure must be prioritised under the proposed Sibu Economic Zone (SEZ) to attract investment, skilled talent and high-value industries to central Sarawak, says local entrepreneur Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng.

The executive chairman of Delta Leasing Bhd said expanding Sibu Airport and upgrading its facilities would be crucial to strengthening the town’s accessibility and attracting professionals, researchers and industry experts to collaborate with local higher education institutions and industries.

He said the SEZ should also focus on developing advanced digital and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure to meet the future energy demands of data centres and other technology-driven industries.

“Sibu, being in the central region of Sarawak, should concentrate on building high-value digital and AI infrastructure to meet the future energy needs of data centres and other industries,” the former banker told Bernama.

Hii also proposed establishing a new small and medium enterprise (SME) industrial park specialising in robotics development through collaboration with China and technologically advanced European countries.

Another priority, he said, should be the development of a modern agricultural park equipped with advanced farming technologies to produce high-value agricultural products.

Welcoming Putrajaya’s involvement in the Sibu SEZ, Hii said federal financial support would be an important component in turning the proposed development into reality.

His proposals come as the federal and Sarawak governments prepare to hold formal negotiations on the establishment of the economic zone, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement during the tabling of Budget 2027 on Oct 9.

The negotiations will focus on investment incentives, the establishment of a one-stop investment facilitation centre and strategic infrastructure requirements to support the SEZ.

Hii had earlier described the Sarawak government’s initial RM1.5 billion allocation for the SEZ as a much-needed economic boost for Sibu, which he said had lagged behind Kuching, Bintulu and Miri in development over the past two decades.

He had also called for stronger air connectivity, including direct flights between Sibu and Singapore and the restoration of the Sibu-Kota Kinabalu route through Sarawak’s own airline, AirBorneo.

Meanwhile, Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh has stressed that the success of the Sibu SEZ must be measured by actual investments, sustainable businesses, better-paying jobs and higher incomes rather than the size of its development allocation.

“We must therefore move quickly from announcement to planning, from planning to implementation, and from implementation to measurable results,” he said when debating the Sarawak Budget 2027 at the State Legislative Assembly on Oct 15.

Wong proposed a five-year roadmap from 2027 to 2031, beginning with the establishment of governance mechanisms, infrastructure planning and investor engagement.

Under the roadmap, the SEZ should begin delivering tangible results by 2029, including operational businesses, industrial facilities and new employment opportunities.

He also proposed setting up a development consultative council comprising government representatives, business chambers, private sector players, educational institutions and community stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation and greater local participation.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has identified high-value manufacturing, downstream processing, agro-industry, logistics and the green economy as the key sectors that will drive the Sibu SEZ.

Envisioned as a new economic growth engine for central Sarawak and the Rajang Basin, the initiative aims to attract domestic and foreign investment, create skilled and better-paying jobs and open new markets and supply chains for local SMEs. – Bernama

air connectivity Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng infrastructure lead onsite Sibu Economic Zone