Sarawak can lead ASEAN growth as ‘petro-electro’ State, says Premier

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Photo credit: Sarawak Information Department (Japen)

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, June 11: Sarawak is uniquely positioned to emerge as a strategic economic powerhouse in the region because it possesses both abundant petroleum and natural gas resources as well as substantial renewable energy sources.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said energy professionals attending an international hydrogen conference in Kuching this week had recognised Sarawak as a new frontier for future energy development.

“Last two days, we had professionals in energy converging in Kuching attending the hydrogen conference, and they all acknowledged that Sarawak is a new frontier – Sarawak is an electro- and petro-State.

“While the Middle East is rich in petro, they lack electro. However, we have all that,” he said when speaking at the Sarawak State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) Transformation Programme broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on Facebook today.

The Premier was referring to Sarawak’s significant oil and gas reserves, as well as its vast electricity generation capacity from renewable sources, particularly hydropower, which together provide the foundation for emerging industries such as hydrogen production, advanced manufacturing and the digital economy.

He said Sarawak’s future growth would depend on its ability to leverage four key advantages that distinguish it from many other regions globally.

The first, he said, is access to resources, noting that Sarawak is endowed with abundant natural resources that can support long-term economic expansion.

Secondly, Sarawak has access to technology and is actively building local expertise through initiatives such as the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which aims to produce the skilled workforce needed to adopt and develop advanced technologies.

“We have to groom technologists through our FTES exercise. In other words, we can adopt technology,” he said.

Thirdly, Abang Johari pointed to access to markets, stressing that Sarawak must look beyond its borders and position itself to tap into the wider ASEAN economy, home to more than 700 million people.

“We don’t do our work just within Sarawak borders. We must go beyond Sarawak borders, beyond Malaysia borders, but within the 700 million market in ASEAN,” he said.

He added that Sarawak’s strategic geographical location places it in a favourable position to benefit from ASEAN’s continued economic growth and increasing regional integration.

The fourth advantage, according to the Premier, is sustainability.

“We have access to sustainability. It’s up to us how to manage our advantage on sustainability,” he said.

Abang Johari emphasised that while resources, technology, markets and sustainability provide Sarawak with a strong foundation, success would ultimately depend on the people entrusted with driving the State’s transformation agenda.

“It is you and me. We are the people that will elevate Sarawak as the main regional and strategic partner in ASEAN transformation. It’s up to you now to achieve that,” he said.

Sarawak has in recent years accelerated investments in renewable energy, hydrogen, digital infrastructure and other high-value industries as part of its ambition to become a developed and high-income economy by 2030. — DayakDaily