KUCHING: A way for Sarawak to benefit from the building of Indonesia’s new capital city in Kalimantan is to supply electricity for the mega project, said state Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah.
He said this to reporters after flagging off 2019 Kuching Marathon at Padang Merdeka, Jalan Abang Haji Openg at 1am yesterday.
He explained that Indonesia would definitely need a lot of electricity to build the city, and Sarawak happens to have lots of it.
“Sarawak could negotiate with the government of Indonesia to export electricity to the new city and other parts of Kalimantan,” he said.
Karim also believes that the relocation would also impact Sarawak’s tourism industry.
“Sarawak and Kalimantan are neighbours. The new capital city is closer than Jakarta to Sarawak. We will see two-way traffic of tourists crossing the border,” he said.
“Even entrepreneurs from Sarawak will also get involved in the development of the new capital. Just wait and see!
“This is a positive development for Sarawak and we look forward to work with the Indonesian government.”
