Organisations urged to work together on SDGs

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Minister of Economy, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib hopes organisations from Peninsula Malaysia can collaborate with Sarawak to do research and develop technology that will benefit the whole nation and help it achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She stated this during a work visit at Sunway University here for the Sunway Group Sustainability efforts here recently.

Hanifah explained that Sarawak was paving the way to sustainable development by producing renewable energy via various sources aimed at decreasing carbpm emissions.

These included the production of hydrogen energy, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) derived from algae, hydropower, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS).

“In order to facilitate the development of these initiatives, the state government has transformed its education system.

“Sarawak has established six educational institutions that are meant to cater to the current demands of the industry, especially in renewable energy.

“Sarawak owned colleges and universities include i-Cats University College, Kolej Laila Taib, University Technology Sarawak (UTS), Curtin University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology and Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS),” she said.

During the work visit, Hanifah heard eight presentations on Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) by various well-known experts of the industry, including special remarks by the world-renowned economics professor and global leader in sustainable development, Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs.

He proposed that Malaysia have three different time horizons plan to achieve its SDG goals.

“An annual plan is needed to go in tandem with the government’s annual budget cycle to carry out programmes, review expenditures and parliamentary approvals.

“Secondly, a five-year plan coincides with the time horizon of the governing government and is also an appropriate time to identify efforts that are working and goals that can be reached within a few years. This is not to be mistaken for the long-term objectives.

“But I really emphasise on adding a third-time horizon planning, within the time span of 20 to 25 years. Yes, I do believe that not all plans will go as planned but that will enable Malaysia to adapt and learn just like what China did with their ‘Made in China 2025’ development strategy,” he said.

Other notable speakers included SDSN Asia vice president, Prof Dato Woo Wing Thye, SDSN Asia deputy head Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mazlin Mokhtar, and director of Economic Studies SDSN Asia, Andrew Fan.