KUCHING: Sarawak wood designs may one day be used in the interior décor of automobiles and airplanes.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is where Sarawakian designers come in and be creative in their designs.
“If you study any business corporation such as why the Japanese cars could overtake European cars in terms of market position, this is because the Japanese are very innovative. That is why Toyota and Nissan are big names in the automotive industry.
“I think the same goes with furniture because in the car, you also need designs of wood-based products in the car.
“In other words, if you have designers from Sarawak who are innovative and imaginative, perhaps in our automotive industry, the interior design (of the car) has something to do with design from Sarawak, at least on the dashboard (part).
“If you can do it for the car, you can also do it for an airplane.”
He was launching the inaugural Sarawak Design Week 2023 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday (Feb 13).
Abang Johari therefore said the timber industry is not limited to just chair and table designs, but the whole spectrum of designs needed in the market.
“That is where our designers must go beyond the conventional,” he said.
On another note, he said the Sarawak government was serious and committed to transforming its wood-based industry.
“The state government is proposing to have our furniture park. We got the space, and we will locate the seed capital for the park and relocate all these wood-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at the park.
“Of course, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan will install IT, digital facilities in the park,” he said.
Abang Johari further said with this, designers can simulate certain data needed to produce the design.
“You know there is this ChatGPT whereby you ask the chat how to design a furniture, and it will give you a reply. It is called artificial intelligence (AI) generated chat.
“However, you cannot rely 100 percent on the chat or the data that is given in the chat. You can get the data as part of your solution,” he said.
He further said when it comes to creating designs, it is also part of providing solutions, provided there is ample space for it.
“Sarawak has got the space and energy, the only thing is we have to have our own creativity.
“If you combine the two (space and energy), Sarawak can be at the forefront of Malaysia in wood-based technology,” said Abang Johari.
