KUCHING: The Sarawak Government hopes to see Sarawak in the forefront of the new hydrogen economy since the state government’s foray into hydrogen-related development through technology is already seeing positive results, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.
“People were sceptical when we started hydrogen development, but as you know today, hydrogen is in the thing. Apart from that, I heard over the news (recently) that an airplane wants to fly on hydrogen.
“Imagine if we supply hydrogen to the consumers, and from there, you can see the direct result of our economic diversification,” he said.
Abang Johari said this when officiating at the third Sarawak Chief Minister’s Industry Excellence Awards (CMIEA) 2021 organised by Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) in collaboration with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Tuesday (Feb 22).
He said the government was also committed to moving towards a clean and green economy.
“There are three sources of energy from our dam – hydro (power), solar farm, and hydrogen. Apart from that, our man-made lake through the dam is able to be a tourist attraction.
“In other words, this will spill over the development of our service sector,” he said, adding that within this five years, the government would form the Lake Tourism Authority to regulate development within the lake.
On another note, he said the state government would set up the Invest Sarawak, one-stop centre for investors, adding that he had directed the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to engage with the business community to identify weaknesses in investment procedures.
“I would like to give the reassurance that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government will continue to maintain its commitment to create an ideal climate for investment through business-friendly policies and initiatives to shore-up the confidence of local and foreign investors,” he said.
He said foreign and multi-national investors had shown their indication to invest in Sarawak or expand their existing investment primarily because of the state’s safe and conducive environment to invest or reinvest.
“There has been an increased reinvestment at the Samajaya High-Tech Industrial Zone, proposals for hydrogen production and a downstream gas activity in Tanjong Kidurong, Bintulu and Shell has given some commitment to relocate its country headquarters to Miri.
“Thus, these are all signs that there is trust in the ability of the GPS Sarawak government to provide an environment conducive to investment,” he said.
Abang Johari said GPS had shown that it was a government that people could trust.
“With that, I wish to thank the people, especially our business community for your strong support to the GPS government to continue with the development and transformation efforts towards creating a developed and high-income Sarawak by 2030,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and SBF president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg.
