By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 20: With rising petrol prices, more people will soon switch or opt for electric or hydrogen powered vehicles 10 to 20 years down the road, opined Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Highlighting this, Dr Sim pointed out that the widespread arrival of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the commercial market could be a near reality which will then reduce the demand for petrol cars and possibly have an effect on oil demand as well.
“(At present) 75 per cent of petrol are used by cars and in Malaysia 40 per cent of the revenue are from oil and gas.
“But the switch will come very soon because BMW and Toyota will team up to produce hydrogen fuel cell vehicles which could go on sale as early as 2025. The car can run up to around 600km with 6kg of hydrogen fuel. This means the demand for petrol will drop and we will need to mitigate the revenue for oil and gas,” he said when addressing the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) 26th anniversary celebration dinner at a hotel here last night.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, emphasised that Sarawak is very lucky to have oil and gas which is relevant for the current economy while at the same time, the State is leveraging on other resources to embark on the new green economy based on hydrogen and hydropower.
“This is why the green economy is important for the future of Sarawak (as hydrogen vehicles could push out petrol cars when the technology becomes more affordable).
“Sarawak is very fortunate that Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg started thinking ahead and his vision for Sarawak has been acknowledged by Singapore leader (Lee Hsien Loong) that Sarawak will be ready for the new economy,” he added.
To ensure Sarawak achieves its 2030 vision, Dr Sim said everybody must stay together, work together and march towards the same direction so that Premier of Sarawak and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) do not have to worry “if there will be a new Prime Minister tomorrow” but focus on getting Sarawak towards becoming a prosperous, inclusive and environmentally sustainable State.
Deputy Minister for Public Health and Housing Datu Penguang Manggil, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang, its deputy chairman Senator Dato Ahmad Ibrahim, and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Dato Peter Minos were among those present. — DayakDaily
