Sarawak leads Asia’s industrial decarbonisation race with launch of first WEF Transitioning Industrial Cluster in Malaysia

Abang Johari puts his palm on the panel as a symbolic gimmick to launch Malaysia’s first World Economic Forum (WEF) Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC) on June 11, 2026.

By Shikin Louis & Dayangku Hidayatul

KUCHING, June 11: Sarawak has positioned itself at the forefront of Asia’s industrial decarbonisation race with the launch of Malaysia’s first World Economic Forum (WEF) Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC) in Bintulu.

Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said global markets are no longer competing on price alone, as carbon intensity, production methods and environmental compliance increasingly determine access to trade, investment and supply chains.

Green steel, low-carbon aluminium, sustainable chemicals and clean hydrogen, he said, are no longer emerging concepts but are fast becoming baseline requirements in global value chains.

“As trade rules, supply chains and capital flows realign around these expectations, early movers will secure a disproportionate share of new industries, investments and market access.

“This is why Sarawak wants to be a first-mover in industrial transformation — not only to advance sustainability, but to secure long-term economic advantage and competitiveness in a rapidly shifting global market,” he said during the launch held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.

Sarawak’s TIC is now part of the WEF Transitioning Industrial Clusters network, which spans 39 clusters across 20 countries focused on industrial decarbonisation and competitiveness. Collectively, these clusters represent approximately USD 808 billion in economic output, 6.6 million jobs, and 870 million tonnes of potential carbon emissions abatement.

The Bintulu cluster is supported by 23 signatories comprising industry players, investors and strategic partners, reflecting strong collaboration between government and industry in building a structured industrial ecosystem.

Abang Johari further said Bintulu was uniquely positioned for this transformation due to its established industrial base, including the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and the Samalaju Industrial Park, which together form one of Southeast Asia’s most strategic energy and industrial corridors.

“Through SCORE alone, Sarawak has attracted approximately USD20 billion in investments, creating one of the region’s most significant industrial corridors,” he added.

He also said the TIC is built around five key pillars — policy, finance, technology, partnerships and infrastructure — designed to accelerate industrial transformation through a coordinated ecosystem approach.

The policy pillar builds on existing state frameworks, including the Energy Transition Policy, Hydrogen Economy Roadmap and Sustainability Blueprint, ensuring alignment with Sarawak’s long-term industrial direction.

On finance, the initiative aims to turn strategic plans into investable opportunities by strengthening governance and project structuring to attract capital and speed up implementation.

The technology pillar focuses on enabling access to global industrial innovation, including digitalisation, hydrogen development, carbon management and circular economy solutions.

Meanwhile, the partnerships pillar emphasises collaboration between government, industry, financiers and research institutions to drive coordinated action across the industrial ecosystem.

The infrastructure pillar focuses on developing shared systems and connectivity across energy, logistics, carbon management, water and digital networks to support integrated industrial operations.

On governance and implementation, Abang Johari said the federal government will continue to provide the overarching national framework for industrial transition, while Sarawak will take the lead in executing tailored policies and initiatives aligned with the State’s strengths and development priorities.

“I have entrusted the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESty) to drive the implementation of the Bintulu TIC, ensuring that the vision for the Bintulu Industrial Cluster is translated into action, strengthened through partnerships to realise tangible outcomes,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo, said TIC Sarawak marks Malaysia’s first Transitioning Industrial Cluster under the WEF initiative, placing the country among fewer than 40 such clusters worldwide.

He said the initiative supports Malaysia’s digital economy targets of increasing its contribution to 30 per cent of GDP and creating 500,000 high-value digital jobs by 2030.

Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Ministry of Digital secretary-general Datuk Fabian Bigar; Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; and WEF managing director Neo Gim Huay.

Abang Johari (sixth left) receives a token of appreciation from Gobind while other dignitaries look on during the launch of Malaysia’s first World Economic Forum (WEF) Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC) on June 11, 2026.

— DayakDaily