(Bandar Seri Begawan, 1st) At the 2025 Borneo Business Roundtable held in Brunei, Miri Mayor Yii Siew San outlined Miri’s future development vision, with core projects including the construction of the Sabang Smart City and the plan for China’s top university Fudan University to establish a campus in Miri.
This roundtable’s theme, “Regional Trade Priority, Shared Vision: Charting the Borneo Cooperation Agenda,” attracted over 30 senior business leaders and policymakers from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesia’s Kalimantan, gathering to discuss how to drive regional connectivity and growth in areas of infrastructure, digital trade, energy, food, tourism, and healthcare.
MEGA Group subsidiary Miri-Sabang Group, as a main participant, demonstrated its leadership in advancing Borneo’s smart and sustainable city development.
During the themed discussion “Connecting Borneo: Promoting Trade, Talent, and Transformation,” Mayor Yii emphasized that the Sabang Smart City will play a key role in transforming Miri into a regional hub for innovation and education, confirming that Fudan University is actively preparing to establish a Southeast Asian branch campus in Miri.
“Fudan University Medical School is one of only two Chinese medical universities recognized by Malaysia. Fudan plans to set up an integrated medical center in Miri that combines Chinese and Western clinical practice, which will help Miri attract medical tourists and strengthen its healthcare ecosystem.”
Mayor Yii revealed that the first phase of Fudan University’s project will be located at the soon-to-be revitalized former Miri City Hall, planned as a specialist training center, research space, and AI-powered smart clinic to serve the local community and attract international students and researchers to Miri.
The Sabang Smart City project is a city transformation initiative led by Miri-Sabang Group, a subsidiary of MEGA Group, in partnership with the government. It aligns with Sarawak’s “2030 Post-Pandemic Development Strategy,” focusing on sustainability, innovation, and digital progress. Main features include a residential ecosystem under the Malaysia My Second Home program, construction of high-quality homes to attract international residents to Sarawak, and the creation of a safe, inclusive community.
The smart transportation hub includes the construction of a hydrogen-powered transport terminal, supporting Sarawak’s green energy agenda and reducing carbon emissions. The innovation platform includes an incubator and digital ecosystem to support entrepreneurship and innovation in green technology, creative industries, healthcare, and education. Cultural and civic infrastructure projects include building the Sabang Convention Center, Performing Arts Center, and Heritage Museum, promoting Miri as a regional center for arts, business, and tourism.
Notably, the Sabang Smart City blueprint includes plans to build the world’s first “Biodiversity Museum” adjacent to Fudan University’s campus, showcasing Sarawak’s rich natural heritage and integrating it with scientific innovation, especially in the medical and health fields.
Mayor Yii disclosed that the Sarawak Multimedia Authority is actively advancing the “Sarawak Pass” to implement digital clearance at Sungai Tujoh, aiming to reduce congestion and facilitate economic and social ties between Sarawak and Brunei. The authority is currently in discussions with Brunei officials to ensure smooth implementation.
The distinguished guests attending this meeting included Haji Abdul Saman bin Haji Ahmad, ASEAN Business Advisory Council member and President of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei; Pengiran Aki Ismasufian bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim, chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council Brunei and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Brunei; and Dr. Firdausi Suffian, CEO of Sabah Economic Development Corporation. Their participation underscores the importance and urgency of promoting sustainable development in the Borneo region.
This roundtable was co-hosted by the Brunei ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the Brunei APEC Business Advisory Council, and Brunei’s Ministry of Finance and Economy, laying a solid foundation for the advancement of smart city construction, regional economic integration, and digital trade in Borneo.
This roundtable’s theme, “Regional Trade Priority, Shared Vision: Charting the Borneo Cooperation Agenda,” attracted over 30 senior business leaders and policymakers from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesia’s Kalimantan, gathering to discuss how to drive regional connectivity and growth in areas of infrastructure, digital trade, energy, food, tourism, and healthcare.
MEGA Group subsidiary Miri-Sabang Group, as a main participant, demonstrated its leadership in advancing Borneo’s smart and sustainable city development.
During the themed discussion “Connecting Borneo: Promoting Trade, Talent, and Transformation,” Mayor Yii emphasized that the Sabang Smart City will play a key role in transforming Miri into a regional hub for innovation and education, confirming that Fudan University is actively preparing to establish a Southeast Asian branch campus in Miri.
“Fudan University Medical School is one of only two Chinese medical universities recognized by Malaysia. Fudan plans to set up an integrated medical center in Miri that combines Chinese and Western clinical practice, which will help Miri attract medical tourists and strengthen its healthcare ecosystem.”
Mayor Yii revealed that the first phase of Fudan University’s project will be located at the soon-to-be revitalized former Miri City Hall, planned as a specialist training center, research space, and AI-powered smart clinic to serve the local community and attract international students and researchers to Miri.
The Sabang Smart City project is a city transformation initiative led by Miri-Sabang Group, a subsidiary of MEGA Group, in partnership with the government. It aligns with Sarawak’s “2030 Post-Pandemic Development Strategy,” focusing on sustainability, innovation, and digital progress. Main features include a residential ecosystem under the Malaysia My Second Home program, construction of high-quality homes to attract international residents to Sarawak, and the creation of a safe, inclusive community.
The smart transportation hub includes the construction of a hydrogen-powered transport terminal, supporting Sarawak’s green energy agenda and reducing carbon emissions. The innovation platform includes an incubator and digital ecosystem to support entrepreneurship and innovation in green technology, creative industries, healthcare, and education. Cultural and civic infrastructure projects include building the Sabang Convention Center, Performing Arts Center, and Heritage Museum, promoting Miri as a regional center for arts, business, and tourism.
Notably, the Sabang Smart City blueprint includes plans to build the world’s first “Biodiversity Museum” adjacent to Fudan University’s campus, showcasing Sarawak’s rich natural heritage and integrating it with scientific innovation, especially in the medical and health fields.
Mayor Yii disclosed that the Sarawak Multimedia Authority is actively advancing the “Sarawak Pass” to implement digital clearance at Sungai Tujoh, aiming to reduce congestion and facilitate economic and social ties between Sarawak and Brunei. The authority is currently in discussions with Brunei officials to ensure smooth implementation.
The distinguished guests attending this meeting included Haji Abdul Saman bin Haji Ahmad, ASEAN Business Advisory Council member and President of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei; Pengiran Aki Ismasufian bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim, chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council Brunei and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Brunei; and Dr. Firdausi Suffian, CEO of Sabah Economic Development Corporation. Their participation underscores the importance and urgency of promoting sustainable development in the Borneo region.
This roundtable was co-hosted by the Brunei ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the Brunei APEC Business Advisory Council, and Brunei’s Ministry of Finance and Economy, laying a solid foundation for the advancement of smart city construction, regional economic integration, and digital trade in Borneo.