Premier: Sarawak prioritises ocean surveys for carbon storage

KUCHING (Oct 29): There is a critical need to identify suitable areas within Sarawak’s continental shelf, with a particular focus on abandoned wells that could serve as carbon storage sites, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He was cited in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report as saying that the importance of ocean surveys must be emphasised to identify potential carbon storage sites and other valuable resources.

“In order to effectively manage carbon storage, we must be able to accurately survey our seabed and identify specific locations, which requires the latest technology.

“In this regard, I have requested the Land and Survey Department to collaborate with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. We have allocated RM5 million to the university for research and to train competent surveyors in seabed surveying,” he said during the 20th Anniversary Dinner of The Land Surveyors Board Sarawak last night.

He pointed out that the expertise developed through this initiative is expected to play a fundamental role in Sarawak’s environmental sustainability projects.

According to him, Sarawak is fortunate to have identified areas that meet the criteria for effective carbon storage.

Regarding agriculture, Abang Johari highlighted the need for policy shifts, particularly concerning oil palm.

He said a lot of waste that can be turned as economic activities, including production of fertiliser and wood pellets, which can become a source of biomass to produce energy.

He emphasised the need for a transformation in oil palm management, asserting that it is essential for the sector to evolve.

To support this initiative, he revealed that RM5 million has been allocated for research with Ta Ann Holdings Berhad, alongside an additional RM5 million dedicated to Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.

At the event, the Sarawak Premier announced the approval of a piece of land for the Land Surveyors Board Sarawak to build their own premises.

He also inaugurated the e-LSBS System for the Board and signed the 20th Anniversary Book, ‘A Journey Down Memory Lane’.

According to another report by the Sarawak Information Department, Abang Johari said that since its formation in 2004, the Land Surveyors Board Sarawak has played a pivotal role as one of the key implementers of development in Sarawak.

He also mentioned that Sarawak is planning three major strategic projects to be implemented within five years, which are a new international airport, a deep-sea port and an ammonia plant.

“A lot of roads need to be built to accommodate the projects, which means another survey needs to be done,” he added.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration And Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development’s permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi, Land Surveyors Board Sarawak chairman Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood, Association of Consulting Licensed Land Surveyors Sarawak (ALCS) president Datu Sudarsono Osman, Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) general manager Datu Zaidi Mahdi and other distinguished guests.