Malaysia Launches First Transitioning Industrial Cluster in Sarawak Under World Economic Forum Initiative

KUCHING, 11 June 2026 – Malaysia officially launched the Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC) Sarawak, the country’s first participant in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Transitioning Industrial Clusters Initiative, during the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference & Exhibition 2026 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCKK). TIC Sarawak joins a community of 39 industrial clusters globally and marks a significant milestone in the country’s industrial transformation journey, reinforcing Sarawak’s position as a regional leader in clean energy, hydrogen development and sustainable industrial transformation.

The TIC Sarawak programme is a national initiative led by the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR), hosted by MyDIGITAL Corporation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESTy), and with strategic support from the WEF. Anchored in Bintulu, it serves as Malaysia’s first industrial transformation platform, bringing together government, industry and ecosystem partners to accelerate the adoption of clean energy and digital technologies, improve industrial efficiency, and support sustainable, low-carbon industrial development.

The initiative is part of a broader national effort jointly driven by the Ministry of Digital and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to accelerate industrial transformation in alignment with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), the National Fourth Industrial Revolution Policy (N4IRP), National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), as well as Malaysia Digital 2030 (MD2030). At the same time, the initiative complements Sarawak’s state-level strategies such as the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS 2030) and the Sarawak Energy Transition Policy (SET-P), ensuring that industrial transformation efforts are coordinated, future-oriented, and anchored within both national and state economic priorities.

Anchored in Bintulu-Samalaju, TIC Sarawak builds on the state’s strengths in energy and industrial activities, with 25 participating organisations (signatories) and four pilot projects identified. By 2040, the initiative is expected to contribute an estimated RM12 billion annually to GDP and generate approximately 19,000 jobs. It will also support Sarawak’s pathway towards net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the SET-P, including efforts to reduce emissions by up to 21.35 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e).

YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital and also a Network Champion of MYCentre4IR , said, “The launch of TIC Sarawak marks a critical step in Malaysia’s journey towards becoming a digitally-driven, AI-ready, sustainable economy. By aligning industrial transformation with advanced technologies and strategic investment, we are creating a platform that not only enhances productivity and competitiveness, but also accelerates our transition towards a low- carbon future.”

In supporting this national industrial transformation agenda, MITI emphasised the importance of aligning policy with real industrial implementation. YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, said, “TIC Sarawak represents a key step in advancing Malaysia’s industrial transformation agenda under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), in line with MITI’s broader efforts through initiatives such as the i-ESG Framework, Green Investment Strategy, Circular Economy Policy Framework, Industry4WRD and Smart Tech Up. By strengthening industrial clusters like Bintulu–Samalaju, this initiative enhances Malaysia’s competitiveness in attracting high-quality green investments, while creating skilled jobs, deepening domestic linkages, and enabling SMEs to integrate into global value chains, reinforcing our commitment to building a resilient, future-ready and sustainable industrial ecosystem.”

Echoing this, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to leading in energy transition and sustainable industrial development. He noted that “Bintulu is not just Sarawak’s industrial heartland, it is a potential anchor of Southeast Asia’s green industrial future. Sarawak is home to the world’s first commercial gas-to-liquids plant, established in Bintulu in 1986, and deployed the world’s first Floating LNG Plant in 2016. We believe Bintulu industrial cluster will continue that tradition of pioneering firsts, transforming the Bintulu-Samalaju corridor into a coordinated, low-carbon industrial system that sets new benchmarks for sustainable industrial development at scale. The establishment of TIC Sarawak advances Sarawak’s role as a regional hub for clean energy, green petrochemicals, and hydrogen-based industries. It enables our industries to transition toward more sustainable and efficient operations, building integrated, low- carbon industrial ecosystems that strengthen long-term competitiveness. This is what our Post- COVID Development Strategy and our Sarawak Energy Transition Policy have been building toward. Today, that foundation begins delivering results ”

From a global perspective, Ms Neo Gim Huay, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, said “The Transitioning Industrial Clusters framework represents a key mechanism for accelerating industrial transition globally by aligning stakeholders, scaling innovation, collectively advancing frontier technologies, and mobilizing capital. TIC Sarawak demonstrates how regions can translate ambition into action by bringing together policy-makers, industry, and finance within a coordinated platform. It is a strong example of how Malaysia is contributing to the global transition while supporting inclusive industrial growth.”

The launch of TIC Sarawak positions both Malaysia and Sarawak as emerging regional hubs for sustainable industrial transformation in the Intelligent Age, where digital and energy transitions converge. As the pioneer cluster, Sarawak will serve as a reference model for future expansion of the TIC model across Malaysia, including Johor, Selangor, and Penang, while contributing to the broader ASEAN industrial transformation agenda.