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CM bullish on potential of methanol plant

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Abang Johari is briefed on how drones are used to drop seed balls.

BINTULU: Abundant job opportunities will be available for locals at the Sarawak Petchem Methanol Project, both during the construction stage of the mega project and its subsequent operations.

Caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that the mega project was anticipated to have a total workforce of up to 4,500 workers and about 300 staff during the operation of the plant.

He said this would also provide for spin-offs in terms of other opportunities including its services and maintenance.

“We feel that with the state-of-the-art technology, the plant will require competent personnel who are mostly engineers, technicians, operators and specialists to operate it. Therefore, it will provide employment opportunities for our job seekers as well as the transfer of technology.

“In other words, local people will see to the services and maintenance of the plant,” he said in a press conference after visiting the Sarawak Petchem Methanol Project at Tanjung Kidurong here on Tuesday (Nov 9).

Abang Johari said Sarawak Petchem Sdn Bhd had commenced its one-year training programme called Technical Training Programme (TTP) in collaboration with Institut Teknologi Petroleum Petronas (INSTEP).

He disclosed that the training programme’s trainees were all Sarawakians who will become the core of the plant’s operations.

“There are currently 74 trainees undergoing the TTP in INSTEP and the second batch with 42 trainees will report on Nov 21 this year,” he said.

The trainees comprise technical diploma holders with 80 percent of them coming from the B40 group.

He added that with all of the investments made for the plant, it would definitely drive Sarawak’s growth in the petrochemical sector particularly the methanol plant which is 100 percent owned by Sarawak.

“At the same time, I think the level of expertise of Sarawakians will be developed over time so we will be able to play our part here,” he said.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Hassan, Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Sarawak Petchem chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Abdul Aziz Husain and other dignitaries.

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