Sarawak to gradually expand electric vehicle charging stations, says Deputy Minister

Len (fourth right) with Jack on his right visiting the booths operated by the participants of the workshop.

By Jacob Achoi

SERIAN, July 12: The Sarawak government will gradually provide charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) to encourage their use and help protect the environment, Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh disclosed today.

Len noted that charging stations are already available in Darul Hana, Petra Jaya in Kuching, and Daro in Mukah.

“Over time, we [the Sarawak government] will provide more EV charging stations. There is already a plan by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to install these facilities along all the main roads,” Len told reporters after officiating at the closing of the state-level ‘Kelab Pencinta Alam Sekitar (PALS)’ educational workshop for teachers at Roxy Hotel here.

The four-day workshop was attended by 85 teachers from across Sarawak.

Len further said that the facility would be extended to Pusa, Kapit, Sibu, and Miri. “We are not only focusing on EVs but also on hydrogen as well,” Len added.

On river cleanliness, the deputy minister said the Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB) is tasked with cleaning Sg Bedil, Sg Padungan, Sg Satok, and Sg Bintangor.

He also mentioned that some rivers, like Sg Jemoreng in Daro, have poor water quality and are black in color due to their location on peat areas, making it very costly to treat the water.

Sg Jemoreng is among the four rivers Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof mentioned last week as being polluted.

The other rivers are Sg Daro, Sg Adong in Miri, and Sg Miri itself.

NREB controller Jack Liam was also present at the event. — DayakDaily