Premier: Sarawak’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap secures USD 4.2 billion in partnerships

KUCHING: Sarawak’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap has generated USD 4.2 billion in partnerships.

In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the partnership focuses on developing hydrogen plants and supporting facilities, innovations like the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system to sustainably produce green energy for both domestic and international markets.

“Sarawak is leading the way in green energy initiatives.

“We are committed to transform the state into a regional green energy powerhouse, and our partnership with China is vital to achieving this vision,” he said.

He said this in his text-of-speech read out by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian during the ‘Beneath the Mid-Autumn Moon: Malaysia and China – A Bond of Friendship, A Future of Success’ dinner at a local restaurant here last night (Sept 20).

Abang Johari further said he admires China’s late leader Deng Xiaoping’s ‘Open Door’ policy and is optimistic about the continued collaboration, especially as President Xi Jinping has expressed interest in revisiting Sarawak following his earlier trip to Sibu.

On a related note, he said strategic partnership between Sarawak and China is important for achieving the state’s development goal where it envisions a competitive digital economy and aims to position the state as a regional hub for green energy production and distribution.

“We have already seen major successes in the hydropower sector with projects like Bakun, Murum, and Baleh, demonstrating Sarawak’s potential as an energy powerhouse in ASEAN,” he said.

Abang Johari added that Sarawak is also leading the way in green energy initiatives.

He also noted the strategic partnership with China in economic development, where to date, China has invested over RM19.9 billion across various sectors, including solar, steel, and wood-based manufacturing.

“This investment has generated more than 10,000 jobs and provided a healthy boost to the Sarawakian economy,” he said.

In addition to economic collaboration, he said Sarawak’s close relationship with China has fostered cooperation in developing human capital.

“We welcome prestigious universities establishing campuses locally to prepare our people for an increasingly competitive and innovation-driven global economy.

“For instance, discussions are ongoing for Fudan University to open a branch campus in Sarawak,” he said.

He therefore hoped the relationship between Sarawak and China continues to flourish, bringing prosperity for future generations.