By Natasha Jee And Alexandra Lorna
KUCHING: Sarawak is poised to earn more revenue from carbon storage activities in its soil in the near future.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that it is legal for the state to store carbon dioxide in its land following the recent amendment to the Sarawak Land Code, which allows the state to regulate carbon storage.
“Fortunately Sarawak still has plenty of greens, therefore we must protect this green and the environment,” he said.
“By doing so, we can capture carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere and store it below ground.
“So, whoever wants to store carbon dioxide in our state, they must pay first and this will be another stream of income for Sarawak.”
He said this during the Samariang Hari Raya Aidilfitri programme with the Premier at Grand Margherita Hotel on Saturday (May 21) evening.
Abang Johari, who is also Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development stressed that the process of carbon capturing and storing in the soil would not have an adverse effect on the environment.
Earlier, at the 25th Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) at its headquarters on Saturday (May 21), Abang Johari said that the Koreans have already shown interest to store their carbon dioxide here.
“I just met them (Koreans) yesterday (May 20), and they informed me that Korea produces a lot of carbon and they want to store it in our state.
“I told them that, after the technical study is done, and once the geological transformation allows it and with the available capacity, why not?
“This will be another source of income to Sarawak, hence there is no need to worry whether Sarawak would go bankrupt as claimed by certain parties before this,” he said.
