World’s first gas-derived butter: Bintulu emerging as key town in S’wak’s economic transformation

Dr Sim addressing the interfaith thanksgiving prayer held in conjunction with the upcoming Sarawak Day celebration at Bintulu Civic Centre on July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

BINTULU, July 20: Bintulu is emerging as a significant industrial port town in Sarawak’s economic transformation, notably becoming the world’s first city to develop food-grade butter derived from high-quality wax using gas-to-liquid technology.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian emphasised that this innovation aligns with the city’s established reputation in the oil and gas sector within Sarawak.

He expressed confidence that the production of the world’s first gas-derived butter will attract more investors to Sarawak.

“No one else in the world is doing this. This is Bintulu. Bintulu is not just a jungle of Borneo. Now, we will be the first to turn gas into butter,” he said in a pre-recorded speech when addressing the interfaith thanksgiving prayer held in conjunction with the upcoming Sarawak Day celebration at Bintulu Civic Centre today.

The gas-derived butter is produced by Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis (MDS) using specialty waxes under the brand name Shell GTL Sarawax.

As Sarawak advances its economy into a green and sustainable future, Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, stressed that visionary leadership coupled with a multi-racial harmonious society are key pillars contributing to nation-building.

“Peace, harmony, solidarity, and unity must always be our top agenda as they are among the pillars of a developed region.

“Unity is our calling. Unity in diversity is our strength where our communities from various cultures, religious beliefs and social statuses coexist in peace and harmony, which is what makes Sarawak unique.

“This effort is essential to advancing Sarawak into a progressive and respected region by 2030, ” he said.

Meanwhile, the ceremony, organised by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), saw full and lively participation of some 500 people from various religions and races.

It featured interfaith prayers from six religious bodies: Baha’i, Hindu, Christian, Tao, Buddhist, and Sikh.

The message of unity, peace, and love for all was echoed in the prayers by members of various local houses of worship. Archbishop Dr Simon Poh led the opening prayers, followed by prayers from other houses of worship, including Tahirrih Sebastian for Baha’i, Aden Lee (Buddhist), Krishnarao @Prabhu (Hindu), Revd Fr Walter Macdaniel Nakan (Christian), Gurdial Singh (Sikh) and Nigel Bong (Tao).

Deputy Minister of Public Health and Housing, who was in charge of this ceremony, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) Datu Buckland Bangik, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee, Unifor director Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau and Bintulu Division Resident Nyurak Keti were present. — DayakDaily