Brunei mulls green energy purchase from Sarawak to meet demand

Abang Johari (centre) in a photo with delegation from Brunei (from left) Azizul, Awang Erywan and Mohd Amin. Also seen (from right) Liaw, Naroden and Awang Tengah. 

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Aug 27: Brunei Darussalam is looking into purchasing renewable energy from Sarawak to meet its current and future needs.

Its Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato Seri Setia Awang Erywan Mohd Yusof, said Brunei is interested in green energy such as hydropower.


“We are looking into other options, as the needs of the people, as well as new industries being developed in Brunei will continue to increase,” he told reporters after leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, here, today.

“We are keen on working closely with the Sarawak government to explore collaboration and investment opportunities in various sectors of the economy,” he said.

Abang Johari presenting a souvenir to Mohd Amin (second left) witnessed by Awang Erywan (left) and Awang Tengah.

The delegation comprised of Brunei Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah and acting Foreign Affairs deputy director Awang Azizul Sofrin Abd Aziz.

They were accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Naroden Majais and the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Liaw Soon Eng.

“Our discussions also touched on exploring collaboration and investment between the two countries such as agriculture, energy, ICT and many other sectors. It was a successful meeting,” Awang Erywan said.

On road connectivity, he explained that Brunei have been briefed by Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), which proposed construction of new roads.

“We will study the plan in detail. It has been agreed that the Pan Borneo Highway will cross over to Brunei. So we want to look at new opportunities to bring Sarawak, like Limbang, closer to Brunei,” he added. — DayakDaily