By Nancy Nais
KAPIT, Oct 5: An overseas company has shown interest to invest with Sarawak in producing hydrogen, reveals Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“There is a foreign company that will buy hydrogen from us which they will then use in their country because the world is now looking at renewable energy. However, I cannot reveal the company’s name at the moment because it is listed.
“Now that Sarawak has the power to impose five per cent sales tax (SST) on petroleum products which is not confined to only one commodity and we sell our hydrogen in tonne, it will enable us to increase our state income,” Abang Johari disclosed during his working visit to Nanga Mujung bridge, located some 35km away from here this morning.
This, he said is possible because it is Sarawak’s rights and powers as enshrined in the constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 where the state can charge sales tax.
He further explained that many countries are now looking at renewable and sustainable energy as well as clean environment.
He added that one day, hydrogen will be seen as valuable instead of oil and gas.
“With the income from the sales of hydrogen, we can give it back to the rakyat and develop Sarawak further,” he asserted.
Giving an example, Abang Johari said he wanted to build an airport in Kapit but it was rejected by the federal government.
“We need an airport in Kapit because this place is rich in agriculture produce. Apart from using road, we can also send these produce via air. Hence, I decided that we Sarawak government can do it ourselves and build an airport here,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari believes that Sarawakians are smart enough to know what is real or otherwise on information that are posted on the social media.
“Nowadays, there are certain quarters who purposely spread lies and inaccurate information such as Kapit is lacking in infrastructure development just to discredit the state government.
“In contrast, Deputy Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing and his team have done a lot for the people here such as pushing for roads to Nanga Mujung, Tunoh and up to Balleh hydroelectric dam site,” he said, adding that as such, the people should be wise enough to differentiate between factual and fake information.
On Balleh dam, Abang Johari explained that it will provide not only hydroelectric but also solar farm and hydrogen, the type of renewable energy which the state has been focusing on. -DayakDaily
