By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Nov 21: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that the State government will implement Phase 2 of the Sarawak Reef Ball Project at the cost of RM30 million following the success of Phase 1.
Abang Johari stated this when tabling the Supply (2023) Bill 2022 or Sarawak Budget 2023 in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
“Under the Sarawak Reef Ball Project Phase 1, 16,800 reef balls have been deployed in Sarawak’s coastal areas from Tanjung Datu to Lawas to protect the marine ecosystem and resources in the State coastal water as well as to safeguard fishing grounds from illegal fishing.
“This has improved our local communities’ livelihood, marine biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and fishery resources. Given the success of Phase 1 of the project, the State government will be implementing Phase 2 with a total cost of RM30 million,” he said.
Furthermore, Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawak aims to become a leader in Malaysia’s hydrogen economy, with plans to begin large-scale commercial production and export of hydrogen by 2027.
“Sarawak is aiming to become a leader in the hydrogen economy in Malaysia, with plans to begin large-scale commercial production and export of hydrogen by the year 2027.
“The collaboration between South Korean companies like Samsung Engineering, POSCO, and Lotte Chemical, together with Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) to develop hydrogen and green ammonia plants in Bintulu, shall be an integral part of our hydrogen economy development,” he added.
He continued by stating that Sarawak is presently embarking on enhancing its public transport system via the development of the Automated Rapid Transit (ART), which is to be integrated with digital solutions to create a seamless experience using hydrogen fuel cells.
According to Abang Johari, the eco-friendly integrated public transportation system will reduce Kuching City’s carbon footprint by 15 per cent by 2030. — DayakDaily
