Premier: World recognises our commitment to environmental sustainability

KUCHING (July 7): Sarawak’s commitment towards environmental sustainability has once again been recognised by other countries, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier said he has received an invitation to give a talk on Sarawak’s experience in managing its green economy initiatives in Sydney, Australia next month.

“Previously, I was invited to share Sarawak’s efforts in managing our environmental sustainability efforts in Europe including Poland and then in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Insyallah (God willing) after this, I will be giving a talk in Sydney next month on how our green initiatives and I’ve also been invited to give a talk in Hong Kong as well.

“This means that our migration efforts (towards green energy) are being recognised by other countries,” he said at the state-level Ma’al Hijrah celebration at Hikmah Exchange here today.

He hoped that Sarawak would continue to migrate towards betterment and become a prosperous and advanced state.

“The world is currently facing two global challenges namely climate change and food security. This is why the Sarawak government is emphasising on the environment and sustainability issues.

“People say that Sarawak is ‘gago’ (busy) with hydrogen, but this is how we can get clean energy. We produce hydrogen as a renewable energy and insyallah, Sarawak will become the main produce of clean energy in the region.”

On food security, Abang Johari said the state government is focusing on developing infrastructure and transforming the agriculture sector particularly the production of hybrid rice.

“I stress this because I believe that if we have the desire to migrate to new methods, we can overcome the problems faced by the world today,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude for being able to celebrate Ma’al Hijrah with the people this year.

“I hope that Muslims will take heed in the struggle of Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Makkah to Madinah, where the Prophet had succeeded in establishing a just and fair government for Muslims and non-Muslims.

“This is a great achievement that we should look at when we are empowered to manage with good governance, meaning a transparent government that is based on integrity with the aim of bringing prosperity to the people.

“We must also have a goal of where we want to go in the administration of our state or country and take into account what are the challenged faced by the people today,” he said.

Officiating the celebration was Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.

Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Utility and Telecommunication Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, and Sarawak Islamic Council president Datuk Misnu Taha.