Sarawak pursues global space partnership to cement role in digital, aerospace economy

julaihi narawi — Julaihi (fourth left) presents a memento to the Turkish Space Agency president Yusuf Kıraç after the engagement on the sideline of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025, held in Sydney, Australia on Oct 1, 2025.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 2: Sarawak is actively exploring collaboration opportunities with global partners in research, training, and knowledge exchange to position itself within the global digital and space economy.

This includes pursuing international partnerships in satellite technology, data governance, aerospace research, and capacity building.

In line with these ambitions, the Sarawak government participated in the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025, held in Sydney, Australia, from Sept 29 to Oct 3.

The IAC is the world’s premier global space event, bringing together heads of space agencies, industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to foster international collaboration in space exploration, technology, and innovation.

The Sarawak delegation, led by Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, aimed to showcase Sarawak’s growing role in the digital and space economy.

According to a media release, the delegation highlighted initiatives in satellite technology, digital connectivity, and indigenous data governance while exploring research collaborations, training programs, and knowledge-sharing opportunities with global partners.

These efforts are closely aligned with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which identifies science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of sustainable growth.

During the Congress, the Sarawak delegation held strategic engagements with leading international space institutions and agencies, including the UAE Space Pavilion, Australian Space Agency (ASA), Western and South Australian state governments, Türkiye Space Agency (TUA), Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), and European Space Agency (ESA).

These high-level discussions underscore Sarawak’s aspiration to strengthen its presence in the global digital and space economy while pursuing partnerships in satellite technology, data governance, aerospace research, and capacity building.

Sarawak’s participation in IAC 2025 reflects its long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation. Through these engagements, the State seeks to enhance its role as a forward-looking digital economy hub in the region while contributing to global dialogues on space, technology, and sustainable development.

Accompanying the Minister were key officials from the Sarawak government and related agencies, including Sarawak Financial secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, permanent secretary of Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak Datu Jafri Lias, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng, Vice Chancellor of I-Cats University College Professor Emeritus Datuk Ts Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation CEO Dato Ir Ts Sudarnoto Osman, Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit director Grace Huong Siew Hung, senior counsel of Sarawak Attorney-General’s Chambers Dr Jady@Zaidi Hassim, and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd CEO Busiai Seman. — DayakDaily