Premier wants Putrajaya to lower taxes on hydrogen vehicles, offer green industry incentives

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, July 2: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg wants the federal government to lower taxes on hydrogen-powered vehicles and offer incentives to green manufacturers to spur the country’s hydrogen economy.

He said fiscal incentives are necessary to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technology and support industries that rely on renewable energy.

“I have asked for incentives for new industries, including the use of hydrogen and vehicles powered by hydrogen,” he told reporters after the official launch of New Horizons for West Digital (WD) Sarawak: Advancing AI Innovations and Powering Growth at Sama Jaya High-Tech Park here today.

Abang Johari further said companies adopting advanced technology and renewable energy, such as WD, should be considered for incentives.

“If WD is producing the latest products, perhaps incentives can be given to them because they are using renewable energy,” he said.

He also proposed reducing taxes on hydrogen-powered vehicles, including future applications such as the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, to encourage wider adoption of clean energy solutions.

“If our vehicles use hydrogen, perhaps lower the tax on hydrogen. For example, lower the tax for our ART.

“It then becomes an attraction for people to shift towards new energy on a broader scale,” he added.

Abang Johari said such measures would help attract more industries to transition towards low-carbon operations while strengthening Sarawak’s position in the global green technology supply chain. — DayakDaily