TO ensure proper management, we need legal parameters that align with international laws, and this is a new thing even for developed countries. Hence, I thank the people of Sarawak who are aware of this. Even in my Cabinet and the civil servants, I had to explain to them the CCUS and carbon trading.
Mona: We are hosting the first Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference and Exhibitions in June, and you have delivered keynote addresses on hydrogen in different countries. How can local businesses participate in this new industry and initiative introduced by Sarawak in green energy, especially considering many foreign companies are coming in?
I had the opportunity to speak in Rotterdam, Netherlands, about hydrogen. Hydrogen is produced by splitting two molecules of hydrogen and oxygen, and the crucial component is the electrolyser to split the two and of which is quite expensive at the moment. It requires power to split the two molecules.
However, I believe its price will decrease in the next ten years due to advancements in technology. If this happens, businesses can utilise hydrogen as a clean energy source. In addition, the financial institutions today emphasise on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG).
Thus, if the production is based on environmentally friendly practices, then businesses are able to get loans from the banks. So, local businesses need to adapt to this changing landscape and consider transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. It depends on how they perceive it.
Why does Sarawak shift towards hydrogen with many saying that it is expensive? But, we have to take the risk and it must be calculated risk. Sarawak goes towards that direction after exploring all the options.
Dr Sivamurugan: In this aspect, what do you have to offer for the youth, especially those in rural areas?
Youth is the hope of the nation, and Sarawak’s future depends on its youth. Hence, we need a policy to empower them and this is through education, providing the necessary skills and knowledge.
Sarawak’s youth are bright beyond 2030, because we have created a landscape and a foundation that is very strong in a new economy. If this happens, when investors come, we also need highly skilled youth.
To give you an example, I have established a state-own company, SMD (SMD Semiconductor) company, and this is to produce chip designers. We need 500 engineers in chip designing, and currently, we only have 25 in Sarawak.
So, we want to train more youth to become chip designers. Who knows, in the near future, we will have an airline company, having an airline that uses chips? Which is why, our economy is at that level to match the training of Sarawakians and will stay in the state to contribute their services. Then, our young people are also going to be a global player, not just within Sarawak.
As such, for the youth of Sarawak to be a global player, the youth must be trained. That is why, I dared to create this atmosphere, and I believe the youth of Sarawak can do it.
Sayed Munawar: Datuk Patinggi, you have presented many forward-thinking ideas. Sarawak needs many skilled youths to meet the current needs. Elaborate more on this?
The situation is such that many Sarawakians are working in Singapore and West Malaysia because of higher salaries and a higher economic level.
The capacity of Sarawakian youth is high, and their placement is crucial. So, what is happening is that Sarawak’s economy does not provide jobs for them. If we improve the economy, those in Singapore will return, as we have seen many are returning in view of our economy at the moment.
Thus, Sarawakian youth do have various skills, but there are no opportunities in Sarawak. That is why I and my colleagues believe that our policies must align with changes happening worldwide, not just by looking at West Malaysia but also considering neighbouring countries which are developing.
I give the example of cascading dams, why do we only build dams based on reservoirs? Fortunately, Sarawak has many rivers, and cascading dams can run on running water. I want to share with you, along the Rajang river, when we build roads from Sibu to Kapit and up to Mujong.
What happened is that, with these developments, the express boat service is no longer operating. When people stopped using the river, the crocodile population increased significantly. In areas where there were no crocodiles before, crocodiles emerged.
To activate the river again, we can build cascading dams. This not only enhances biodiversity but also generates electricity. When electricity is produced, economic activities will increase. So, what I mentioned here indicates that our future is bright with new technology and a fresh approach.
Dr. Siva: Datuk Patinggi, we have discussed the economy and social issues, and now we need to address politics. It’s important to consider political stability and the relationship between Sarawak and the federal government.
Since 2018, we’ve observed that national politics are unstable because I’ve noticed some groups lack unity. The defeat of Barisan Nasional (BN) in the election was a result of these issues. In BN, there were many parties, but Sarawak had only four. Discussing Sarawak’s interests often resulted in our loss. Moreover, achieving consensus under BN was challenging, which sometimes made it difficult to represent Sarawak’s interests effectively.
Therefore, observing the uncertain political climate in West Malaysia and drawing from our experiences, we decided to form our own state coalition and focus on strengthening Sarawak. That’s why we withdrew from BN and formed GPS.
Subsequently, we were in the opposition for 22 months. Many Sarawak projects, including the bridge construction in Batang Lupar and the Igan Bridge, were cancelled by the federal government.
Nevertheless, we persevered in our efforts. I found alternative ways to develop bridges, roads, electricity and water supply in Sarawak using the state’s funds. Another issue was the dilapidated schools in rural areas. The then Finance Minister
required us to pay upfront for school construction. Although the Federal Constitution obligates them to grant us a loan with a repayment schedule, I agreed to pay the RM1 billion upfront because we had the funds.
We witnessed changes in prime ministers, and I hoped for political stability with the formation of the Unity government.
However, recent events, like the ‘Dubai Move’, which involved my name, suggest otherwise. Rumours suggested I could become prime minister in a by-election, but I understand my limitations.
The idea of appointing a Sarawakian as Prime Minister with only 23 MPs is unrealistic. What’s crucial now is that all politicians must prioritise the interests of the people and the country over personal gain.
In Sarawak, God willing, we aim for a strong Malaysia. If not, our neighbours will surpass us. In GPS, we have well-organised politics, and I believe that if Anwar remains Prime Minister until the end of his term, that would be appropriate.
In the last election, Sarawakians showed immense confidence in GPS, awarding us 76 out of 82 seats. We perceive this as a trust and a responsibility to work diligently.
Sayed Munawar: Sarawak’s commitment has significantly contributed to Malaysia’s stability. Perhaps the phrase ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur’ should be changed to ‘Sarawak Makmur Pemimpin Superpower, Pemimpin Bukan Paloi’.
If the leader is ‘paloi’ (stupid), it negatively impacts the people. Leaders must prioritise the people first, along with the wishes of the state and the nation. My political journey has faced many challenges, but ultimately, our future is in Allah’s hands.
Dr. Siva: What are some of the plans for women’s development in Sarawak?
In Sarawak, women are regarded as equals to men. If a woman is capable, why not empower her? We have a woman as the TVS chairperson, high-ranking female permanent secretaries, and our chief financial officer is also a woman. It’s up to the women themselves. If they excel, men excel too.
It depends on the women’s background and what they can contribute. I am grateful to the many female officers who have supported me. From an economic perspective, women are crucial, and their abilities are what matter most today.
Audience: What are the short and long-term plans of the state government for developing and enhancing the agricultural sectors in rural areas, especially plans that involve youth?
We must strategise to increase food yield and develop the agricultural industry. Sarawak, with its large area and a population of 2.8 million, is geographically suited for a larger population.
To boost agricultural products, we must, whether we like it or not, employ technology.
In the short term, we have established nine development agencies throughout Sarawak. I have allocated RM1.5 billion to these agencies over three years to administer and manage rural areas, including the agriculture sector.
For the long term, we need to change our perception of farmers, especially among the youth.
The stereotypical image of farmers wearing hats, holding hoes, and looking sad, associated with poverty, needs to change. In New Zealand, for instance, agriculture is not poor; it’s an entrepreneurial venture using technology. We must upskill those interested in the food and agriculture sector.
Representing the rural areas, I recall a recent issue with rice scarcity. We imported rice, which drove up prices. In Lubok Punggor, I experimented with Vietnamese rice seeds on five acres of village land.
Despite the challenging conditions, the seeds yielded fruit by July and August, and we harvested in September. This experiment produced eight tonnes per acre in three months, suggesting that we could produce 24 tonnes of rice annually.
Perhaps Sarawak can share this rice with West Malaysia. The future of agriculture isn’t limited to rice; it includes pineapple, durian, and sago. With new technology and energy, the future is bright. I am committed to playing my part, including providing fertiliser made from palm oil waste.
Audience: What is Sarawak’s role in nation-building? What can other countries emulate?
A nation is respected for its identity and strength.
Sarawak’s peace and prosperity mean we can contribute significantly to Malaysia. Our approach, as once said by Tok Nan, is ‘Jaga Sarawak bait bait’ (take good care of Sarawak), enabling us to contribute to Malaysia’s development.
The development of a nation involves becoming a strong, peaceful country with a unique identity. Malaysia has the potential to be strong. Our aim is to improve certain areas. With a population of over 30 million and notable specialties, Malaysia can progress without emulating models like ‘Dubai Move’, but by moving towards the country’s betterment.
In Sarawak, we strive to improve the whole country, and, God willing, so far, Sarawak has been doing well.
Sayed Munawar: Given Sarawak’s rapid development, it has caught the attention of many. I think many States are inquiring, “How did Sarawak manage its development so remarkably well?” Concerns arise whether federalism could be detrimental due to being overly Sarawak-centric. How would Datuk Patinggi respond to such views?
In a village, we take care of our house first. If our house is in order, our neighbours benefit, and we create a prosperous village.
This approach underpins Sarawak’s development strategy. By focusing on Sarawak’s progress, we contribute to a stronger Malaysian nation. This is why I say, “If Sarawak is strong, Malaysia is strong. Conversely, if Sarawak is in disarray, Malaysia suffers as well. Currently, Sarawak is not in disarray, but there are problems elsewhere.”
Indeed, our country was formed through the establishment of a federation, with provinces or regions that contribute to the overall strength.
Germany, a federal state, offers a good example. Bavaria, a strong region in Germany, doesn’t seek independence, yet its strength benefits the whole country.
Similarly, a strong Sarawak can become the Bavaria of Malaysia, significantly contributing to the strength of federalism.
When I advocate ‘Sarawak First’, it does not imply a desire to secede from the federation. Under the Malaysia Agreement, we simply seek justice and the preservation of our rights.
It is imperative to protect our rights, especially when there are attempts to undermine them. We must assert our rights as needed.
However, some factions discuss independence, which is a complex and challenging path to embark upon.
We believe what is essential now is a strong, united country. My colleagues in GPS and I are committed to this belief. I extend my gratitude to all the leaders in GPS, united in the goal to develop Sarawak and strengthen the central government in Kuala Lumpur.
