Fadillah delivers his keynote address at the forum.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is continuously creating ecosystems that support grassroots initiatives to incubate new entrepreneurs,” said Petra Jaya member of parliament Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said this was possible through i-Cube and the setting up of the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), and Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) to drive Sarawak’s Digital Economy Strategy.
In order to bring out the best talent, he said a conducive environment is necessary so that individuals are not driven by extrinsic or intrinsic motives such as social pressures or financial incentives.
“As such, the most effective way to manage talented people is to create a stimulating environment that challenges their status quo in achieving our ambitious goals,” Fadillah said in his keynote address for the ‘What’s Next for Sarawak’ forum organised by the United Kingdom and Eire Council of Malaysian Students (UKEC) yesterday.
He added no level of natural resources could resolve the problems Sarawak is facing as the best resources are actually Sarawakian talents, who have yet to mature and reach their full potential.
Sarawak is therefore charting a path to industrialisation through a digital economy, he said.
“When it comes to progress, it is important to note that human progress is not measured by industry but by the value you place on life, an unprivileged life,” he added.
Fadillah stressed Sarawak is committed to improve the lives of communities living in remote areas through its Rural Transformation Programme to reduce both the physical and digital development divide.
Other speakers at the forum were Bandar Kuching member of parliament Dr Kelvin Yii, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) Malaysia managing partner Sridharan Nair, Sarawak Energy Berhad human resources senior manager Gumis Christopher, Lebuhraya Borneo Utara head of corporate communications Nor Zalida Ahmad, PwC Malaysia market leader Nurul Ain Abdul Latif, and Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel – special administrative officer to the chief minister.