Sarawak is the host, we call the shots: Premier affirms autonomy in carbon management

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By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Oct 31: Sarawak will have its own approach to carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), managing all aspects domestically while coordinating only on cross-border carbon transport with the Federal government.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that this strategy underscores Sarawak’s commitment to lead CCUS development with a focus on sustainability and economic autonomy.

“Sarawak is the host, we call the final shot.

“The exclusive rights over carbon management in our offshore territories rest with Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) as the primary resource manager,” he said when officiating Petros 7th anniversary celebration dinner at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night (Oct 30) which was broadcast live via Ukas Channel.

The approach, Abang Johari explained, mirrors similar international agreements, such as those between Belgium and Denmark and the United Kingdom’s arrangement with Scotland over North Sea carbon storage, demonstrating Sarawak’s readiness to adopt a globally recognised model.

“We have similar arrangement based on that model, whereby Sarawak is part and party to any arrangement with our counterparts together with the Malaysia government,” he emphasised.

This came following a fruitful meeting held earlier yesterday between Sarawak government and the federal government with discussion focused on harmonising federal and Sarawak laws for CCUS.

Significantly, Abang Johari highlighted Sarawak’s advancements in gas-related downstream activities in efforts to position the State as a major player in the region.

“Sarawak is scaling up downstream activities in gas, now producing 5,000 tonnes of methanol daily, making us among the largest producers in the region.

“We are also gearing up for ammonia production to support the shipping industry’s shift from fossil fuels to ammonia as a cleaner alternative,“ he said.

With Bintulu Port now under Sarawak’s control, Abang Johari emphasised that it will play a strategic role in the regional transition toward sustainable shipping with the aim to establish Bintulu as a key ammonia bunkering hub.

Located along a major shipping route in the South China Sea, Bintulu is ideally positioned to become an ammonia bunkering hub, fueling vessels that traverse between India, China, Korea, and the Far East.

“This activity, managed jointly by Petros, SEDC Energy, and Bintulu Port, will transform Sarawak’s economy and solidify its role in the oil and gas sector,” he added.

As Sarawak moves into an exciting phase of transformation in the next seven years, Abang Johari stressed the importance of political stability and farsighted leadership, including corporate leadership, to position Malaysia as a driving force in Asean’s development.

“We must work together as a team together with our counterparts like PETRONAS and the federal government so that Malaysia as a whole will be a nation that will contribute to the development of Asean. Let us be the hub of Asean,” he urged.

Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, and Petros chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Hamid Bugo were among the esteemed guests present. — DayakDaily

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