Abang Johari (centre) presents the award to X-Fab Sarawak representatives. Also seen from right are State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Julaihi. – Ukas photo

KUCHING (Oct 23): X-FAB Sarawak Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s first semiconductor plant, was named the winner of the Premier’s Digital Economy Award at the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak 2025 (IDECS25).

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg presented the award during the IDECS25 Gala Dinner here on Wednesday.

X-FAB was recognised for its outstanding contribution to driving innovation and digital transformation in Sarawak.

The company will also represent Sarawak at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona in March 2026, with all expenses fully sponsored by the Sarawak government.

In addition to the top honour, X-FAB Sarawak also received the Digital Technology Transformation Award, which came with a cash prize of RM10,000, trophy, and certificate.

The ceremony also recognised five other winners in various categories: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) – Research, Development and Commercialisation Award; Sarawak Land and Survey Department – Digital Government Award; Ensera Creatives Sdn Bhd – Digital Creative Content Award; Sarawak Forest Department – Environmental Sustainability Award; and Mukah Resident’s Office – Digital Leadership Award.

Each winner received RM10,000, trophy, and certificate in recognition of their contributions to advancing Sarawak’s digital agenda.

In his speech, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the Sarawak Digital Economy Awards honour excellence across multiple categories, recognising the best of Sarawak’s talent and innovation spirit.

He said Sarawak’s journey towards a digital and green economy is a shared responsibility — one that balanced innovation with environmental stewardship.

“We will embrace the future by innovating without losing our soul, by digitising while going green, and by prospering without leaving anyone behind,” he added.

Julaihi noted that IDECS, now in its eighth edition, has grown from a modest conference into an internationally recognised platform that brings together government, industry, and community to transform ideas into impactful initiatives.

He commended all partners and organisers — including the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), and Sarawak Information System Sdn Bhd (Sains) — for their role in making IDECS25 a global platform for collaboration.