By Nia Natasha Hasenan
KUCHING: Craun Research Sdn Bhd has entered a strategic partnership with Knowledge Integration Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Nitsei Sago Industries Sdn Bhd to develop a pilot project on biogas from sago liquid waste.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was present to witness the memorandum of agreement signing at UCSI Hotel here, on Monday (Oct 19).
Craun Research Sdn Bhd was represented by chief executive officer Zaidell Hussaini while Knowledge Integration Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd was represented by representative Dino Bidari and Nitsei Sago Industries Sdn Bhd was represented by manager Ng Yong Kiang.
Zaidell said the new project was inspired by Abang Johari and also the continuation of the Sago Liquid Waste Treatment Integrated Pilot Plant project launched by the latter on Nov 23, 2019.
“Biogas generated by this sago pilot plant will be refined and subsequently distributed as a source of green, sustainable, cheaper alternative cooking gas compared to the commercial LPG gas.
“As a start, the biogas distribution will benefit the residents at Kampung Teh and Kampung Tabo, Mukah.”
On another note, he said sago is one of the major agricultural commodities that contributed to Sarawak’s revenue.
“As the leading producer of sago in Malaysia, Sarawak exports sago starch products worth between RM80 million and RM90 million annually.
“However, despite this important contribution, the environmental pollution that occurs as a result of sago starch processing activities has given the industry a negative image.”
To address this, he said Craun had been entrusted by the Sarawak government and the federal government to develop the Sago Liquid Waste Treatment Integrated Pilot Plant project as an integrated solution.
“The project located at Kampung Tabo, Mukah was operational in May 2019. This pilot plant is the first of its kind in Malaysia and also the first among the countries that produce sago starch in the world.”
