MELAKA: Kuching would be the first city in the country to have hydrogen-powered bus on its road when its order of three such buses arrived from China by July 2018 as part of the hydrogen research and development programme undertaken by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB). The Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government was allocating RM10 million for the research programme to be carried out by SEB under its Hydrogen Research Unit that was recently announced.
The research allocation would also include the setting up of a plant with foreign expertise to produce hydrogen gas to power the buses, Johari said. He made the announcement in his speech during the closing of a three-day retreat for heads of state departments and senior state government officials at a leading hotel here on Sunday.
He said acquisition of the emission free buses was part of a long term plan to ensure Sarawak’s public transportation system was run on clean energy in accordance with current world-wide trend to protect the environment.
Johari had previously revealed that the proposed LRT connecting Kuching with Serian, Samarahan and Damai would also be run on hydrogen. The hydrogen buses would be assigned to agencies including one for tourism as a strategy to attract tourists with Kuching’s environmental-friendly and clean energy image, he told the 170-odd participants.
With such an image, he expressed his believe that the capital city would have a strong tourist pull factor to enable it to become a tourism gateway much like Melaka. He added although a small state, Melaka had been serving as an entry point for visitors from various parts of Asia before dissipating to other parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Similarly, he said, Kuching and area up to Serian should be developed to become a tourism hub or anchor area to attract tourists before they would fan out to visit other parts of Sarawak.
He pointed out that in line with current shift towards environmental friendly industries Sarawak should also re-evaluate foreign investments which tend to bring in pollutant emitting industries. He said although the state’s FDI record might look good by accepting heavy industries, Sarawak would have to pay a price if the industries were polluting the environment.
Later, in the evening the Chief Minister who was accompanied by his wife, Datuk Patinggi Dato Hajah Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang attended a dinner to mark the closing of the annual retreat. Also present were the Menteri Besar of Melaka, Datuk Seri Utama Ir Haji Idris Haron, Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak State Secretary, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and their wives.
