By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 18: Citing Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as a source, Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi (GPS-PBB) disclosed that in 2016, telecommunication companies are paying RM598.55 million to obtain a spectrum licence.
He thus believed that the passing of the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022 will ensure a bright future for Sarawak as it will open another door of opportunity for additional revenue.
“Under this amendment, the word ‘spectrum’ is being introduced which refers to invisible radio frequencies that wireless signal travels on. At present, Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission or MCMC has the rights to issue spectrum licence and this amendment will provide legal rights for Sarawak as far as under the Land Code is concerned.
“Based on information obtained from MCMC, in 2016 one Telco is paying RM598.55 million to obtain a spectrum licence. With this amendment, we can control and regulate over our air space, including spectrum and usage of land for carbon storage,” said Abdul Yakub when expressing his support for the passing of the Bill at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) here today.
Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali has tabled the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022 to enable its control over telecommunications, and carbon emissions and its monetisation at DUN today.
Meanwhile, Tanjung Datu assemblyman Azizul Adenan (GPS-PBB) who focused on carbon emissions and its storage and monetisation said once carbon dioxide is captured, it can be compressed into a liquid state which can be transported and injected or pumped underground, usually at depths of one kilometre or more.
It can be stored in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, coal beds or deep saline aquifers, where the geology is stable and suitable.
“We in Sarawak are blessed to have land, onshore and offshore which has close to no seismic activity which makes our state one of, if not the most suitable area for carbon storage. Sarawak has about 1100 million tons or 37 trillion cubic feet of carbon storage capacity,” said Azizul while debating on the Bill.
He said when the Bill is passed, Sarawak will have control over where the carbon can be stored, which reinforces Sarawak’s rights over ownership of the sites as well as enables State Planning Authority to regulate the activities.
“As owners of the storage sites, the State will then also have regulatory rights to secure new source of revenue, if any, from the sale and trading of the carbon credits yielded from the capture and storage of carbon dioxide through the imposition of levies, royalties or resource tax like in certain countries and other fees or charges,” said Azizul.
He said this amendment will create a new dynamic in Sarawakians’ collective effort in saving the environment and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which will further ensure a better future for young Sarawakians and the world as a whole, in addition to a new revenue stream for Sarawak which can be spent on more development and welfare. — DayakDaily
