KUCHING: The Sarawak government will continue to advocate for more ambitious and comprehensive climate policies, invest in renewable energy sources, and embrace sustainable practices in every aspect.
In stating this, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said globally, almost 80 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is generated in cities, and cities also consume around 70 per cent of the world’s energy and account for nearly 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“It is therefore important to address all these issues globally. For Sarawak, the state government has already embarked on various initiatives to address urbanization and sustainability issues.
“Among the initiatives is the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, with the aspiration that by 2030, Sarawak will be a thriving society driven by data and innovation where everyone enjoys economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and a sustainable environment.
“The core objectives of the PCDS 2030 are to change the economic structure, modernize and increase efficiency, increase household income to GDP share, and place environmental sustainability in the state’s recovery effort and long-term economic growth,” he said.
Awang Tengah, who was representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said this during the opening ceremony of the 5th Malaysia Urban Forum (MUF) 2023 held at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here on Tuesday (Nov 7).
He further said environmental sustainability is an intrinsic aspect of Sarawak’s development plans, relating it to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and promoting balanced economic growth through responsible use of its natural resources, aimed at ensuring a clean and healthy environment for current and future generations.
“Climate change poses a big concern to all countries around the world, and it is driven by human activities that release greenhouse gases. It is a threat to sustainability, as it can disrupt ecosystems, and impact biodiversity, which can lead to the loss of vital resources like clean water and fertile soil.
“Thus, the Sarawak Government has prioritized sustainable practices in its agenda by developing the Sustainable Sarawak Blueprint,” he said.
In tandem with Malaysia’s Fourth Industrial Revolution, he said this strategy will address issues of biodiversity protection, natural resource management, climate change mitigation, and the building of an enabling environment with contemporary infrastructure.
“In addition, Sarawak has also developed the Kuching Smart City Master Plan that considers low carbon mobility and smart city infrastructure for Kuching and will be extended to other urban areas in Sarawak.
“This will balance environmental sustainability and urbanization, create a safe and livable city with holistic urban planning, taking into consideration the needs for housing, sewage and waste management, irrigation and drainage systems, parks and greens, as well as recreational facilities, including educational and public amenities,” he said while adding that the master plan also addresses issues related to urban poverty and traffic management.
Awang Tengah, who is also the Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, further said Sarawak has already embarked on Southeast Asia’s first integrated hydrogen production and refuelling facility, which will largely manufacture hydrogen using renewable power. Plans are underway to begin large-scale commercial production and export of hydrogen by 2027.
“Meanwhile, the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project is implemented to minimise traffic congestion on the city’s roads while spurring productivity and economic growth, including the use of Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) vehicles that are hydrogen fuel cell-powered.
“This is an effort that aligns with SDG and will be the backbone of the public transport system transformation in line with the aspiration of having a sustainable public transport solution that also tackles the issues of climate change and is also in tandem with our initiative to decarbonize public transportation through the adoption of zero-emission vehicles,” he said.
He added that it is also Sarawak’s government’s ambition to become a net-zero and low-carbon economy, and they are looking at various options in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) as well as natural solutions.
“The Sarawak government is also committed to a Net Zero Carbon Future. As the region’s hub for clean energy, Sarawak has assumed the lead in several clean energy initiatives that will serve as the cornerstone of a robust and sustainable economy,” he said.
To ensure that our PCDS 2030 is well supported and enabled by technology and innovation, he mentioned that Sarawak established its second Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, which sets out how Sarawak will secure its future as a leading digital economy and society by 2030.
“This is also to ensure that Sarawak will not be left behind, as most developing countries are already at the forefront of the digital economy, and to ensure Sarawak is on track to be a developed region by 2030,” said Awang Tengah.
Among those present were Minister of Local Government Development Nga Kor Ming and Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
