Dr Sim (centre), Choo (left) and Ng sign their names on a wall as a gimmick launch of SPACE at City Square.
KUCHING: Malaysia still has a lot of catching-up to do when it comes to talent development, says Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He points out that the country has excelled in infrastructure development but efforts in nurturing talents leave much to be desired.
“Malaysia is good at infrastructure development as we have Cyberjaya and so on, (but) what we are not good at is talent development.
“With the right infrastructure development, we must be able to nurture talent as I believe talent development is the way forward,” he said when launching ‘SPACE’ at City Square here yesterday.
Managed by Chumbaka and funded by Timberland Group of Companies, SPACE is a co-learning centre that promotes resourcefulness, collaboration and innovation among students.
Dr Sim termed SPACE as the ‘right infrastructure development’ for the state to nurture talents, particularly young Sarawakians.
He said neither Sarawak nor Malaysia would want to fall behind in terms of technology and digital development.
“If we do not leapfrog to 4.0 Industrial Revolution, we will lag behind – having to pay licence fees and waiting for things to happen,” he stressed.
In this regard, the minister lauded SPACE and Timberland Group of Companies on offering a platform for youngsters to pick up technology and life skills.
He said young Sarawakians must be equipped with life skills that enable them to go on learning and remain competitive even after completing their studies.
Earlier, Timberland Group of Companies chairman Jeffery Choo said he was delighted that Chumbaka had chosen City Square as the venue for SPACE.
According to him, City Square is strategic as it is surrounded by many prominent organisations such as the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Sarawak Energy Bhd, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Wisma Bapa Malaysia and the state Education Department.
“These are all within 3km region, not to mention that there are over 20 schools, institutions and medical centres near City Square,” he said.
Choo said Timberland Group had planned to set up health and fitness centre, outdoor activities playground for skateboarders, roller skaters and BMX riders at City Square.
“It (the group) aims to turn City Square into a different centre from other conventional commercial centres,” he added.
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief operating officer Datuk Ng Wan Peng and Chumbaka founder Nigel Sim were among those present.