By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 22: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will make the ASEAN Power Grid, anchored in Sarawak, the main agenda during his meeting with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto next Friday (June 27).
He said the proposal reflects ASEAN’s shared strategic vision under the Kuala Lumpur Declaration 2045, which prioritises regional energy connectivity and digitalisation.
“I’ve already informed Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg that the main topic I want to raise with President Prabowo is the ASEAN Power Grid, with Sarawak as its base for the benefit of both our countries,” he said during the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak Celebration 2025 gala dinner held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here this evening.
Anwar pointed out that Sarawak is well-positioned to become a regional energy hub due to its strong capacity in hydro, gas, and hydrogen.
He noted that this aligns with broader ASEAN plans to develop a transnational energy network, enabling power generated from various sources—including hydro and gas from Vietnam—to flow through a grid stretching from Kelantan to Johor and onward to Singapore.
“There are already plans for Sarawak’s energy to reach not only Sabah, but also Kalimantan (Indonesia) and even southern Philippines,” he added.
To support this regional integration, Anwar said the federal government is also looking to expedite the development of undersea cable infrastructure connecting Peninsular Malaysia to Singapore and Batam.
Earlier in his speech, Anwar highlighted other state-led development strategies, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, Kulim Hi-Tech Park, and Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP) in Kedah, as well as Sabah’s Blue Economy.
“So it’s only right that under Premier Abang Jo’s leadership and with Sarawak’s strength, we develop Sarawak into a giant and a major energy hub in the region—something that will make Sarawakians and Malaysians proud,” he said.
Anwar shared that this Friday’s visit to Jakarta will be an informal one, as President Prabowo has already visited Kuala Lumpur four times in recent months for private discussions.
“It’s not a working visit, but as friends, we’ve met over lunch or dinner multiple times. So I feel it is only appropriate for me to visit him in return,” he emphasised.
The event was graced by Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Among the notable dignitaries present were Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg; Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; Dewan Negara Speaker Senator Dato Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah; Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari; Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the chairman of the Main Organising Committee for the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak Celebration 2025, and wife Dato Doreen Mayang; Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and Puan Sri Datin Amar Fatimah Mohd Iskandar; and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, who also serves as the chairman of the Working Committee for the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak Celebration 2025, and wife Datin Esther Mujan Balan. — DayakDaily
