By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Aug 25: Sarawak takes a unique approach to waste, materials or substances deemed no longer valid, by embracing the philosophy of ‘don’t waste the waste; monetise the waste’.
Speaking during the launching ceremony of the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) Lawas, streamed live with the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) today, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg used the example of oil palm kernel waste, which could be processed into livestock feed.
By doing so, he said, the kernel waste, together with Napier grass, would allow the State government to reduce its dependence on imported livestock feed.
This would produce more nutritious livestock feed, leading to healthier animals with greater weight gain, and since heavier animals have higher market value, this could bring greater profits to farmers.
At the same time, Abang Johari also said that biomass from palm oil waste could be made into biofuel, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
“But to do so, we must have enough raw materials. That is why I have asked the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to draft a law to mandate the collection of agricultural waste in the State.
“This is so that, in terms of volume, we can produce materials from waste to generate energy. Don’t waste the waste—monetise the waste,” he said.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; and CENTEXS chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani were also present. — DayakDaily
