Sarawak Premier calls for funds from Putrajaya for green energy industry development

KUCHING (Oct 30): Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed hope that the federal government would allocate funds for infrastructure, logistics, technology and innovation to support the green energy industry.

He said Sarawak is currently implementing several high-impact initiatives, including digital economy development, commercial agriculture focused on food production, green energy, logistics, and aerospace hubs, as well as border development.

For green energy, he said Sarawak emphasises on development of renewable energy sources such as hydro, hydrogen, solar, cascading power sources, biomass including microalgae for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, wave kinetic, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).

These low-carbon initiatives are supported by Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) activities, he added.

“Green economy development requires substantial investment in infrastructure and technology. Therefore, we hope the federal government will provide funds for infrastructure, logistics, technology, and innovation to support the green energy industry.

“We also hope that the federal government can offer grants and incentives to encourage and support research and innovation programmes in green economic development in Sarawak, and encourage financial institutions to support green bonds, low-interest loans, and investment programmes aligned with sustainability goals,” said Abang Johari.

His text of speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the engagement session for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), organised by the Ministry of Economy and attended by its minister, Rafizi Ramli, here today.

Abang Johari also expressed hope that the federal government would consider allocating funds to build 1,800 telecommunications towers or structures to achieve full internet coverage in Sarawak, at a cost of RM6.3 billion.

He further noted that the Sarawak government intends to develop paddy field areas at an estimated cost of RM1 billion.

“The Sarawak government will bear RM500 million, and we hope the remaining RM500 million will be covered by the federal government,” he said.

Abang Johari said that the federal government has identified Sarawak as a satellite launch site, and with its strategic location in the region, Sarawak also has the potential to be developed as an aerospace hub.

He expressed hope that the federal government would support these efforts to enable Sarawak to become a regional logistics hub.

On research and development (R&D), Abang Johari highlighted that new economic development requires high-level R&D and substantial funding.

However, under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), he said that only one project out of 17 applications from Sarawak was approved by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Mosti).

“We hope the federal government will allocate sufficient funding for R&D in Sarawak, particularly in new economic sectors,” he said.