By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 22: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has rebutted critics who belittled his early efforts on exploring the potential of hydrogen with the aim of building a hydrogen economy, saying it seems Sarawak is heading in the right direction and in line with the global race to produce green energy.
He pointed out that the post-Covid-19 era has brought new challenges to the world, especially towards addressing global climate change and building a sustainable economy.
“The GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government under my leadership sees this challenge as an opportunity to develop new sources of wealth for Sarawak and its people.
“With abundant natural resources such as water and hydro energy, Sarawak has great potential to become the hydrogen economy hub in this region, and many investors from countries like South Korea and Japan have already confirmed their investments in Bintulu to produce hydrogen and ammonia,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed this at the Sarawak Day 2022 celebration themed Prosperous Sarawak which was officiated by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Indoor Stadium in Sibu tonight and broadcast live through Sarawak Public Communication Unit’s (Ukas) Facebook page.
The new economic era, he added, sees the world moving to drive a transition to green energy sources in line with the universal commitment towards sustainability to build a green economy and address global climate change.
In line with this universal commitment, Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak has charted a strategy to recover Sarawak’s economy post-pandemic through the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) with focus on green energy, in particular hydrogen.
“PCDS 2030 has placed emphasis on the development of high-potential economic sectors in the post-Covid-19 economic climate, in particular the world’s focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the management of the United Nations (UN).
“The strategies also pave the way for an economy supported by carbon reduction or decarbonisation policies that lead to the development of carbon stocks, carbon trading and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) in line with developments at the global level,” he said.
In order to provide a legal basis, he mentioned that the government has made amendments to the State Forestry Ordinance and the State Land Code recently so that Sarawak has the capacity to be seriously involved in the process of carbon reduction and the implementation of a green economy.
Meanwhile, the celebration also witnessed the marching in of guards followed by the hoisting of the Sarawak flag accompanied by the State anthems.
Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, senior cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, elected members and community leaders were among the distinguished present.
Musical and live performances by well known local artistes from Malaysia kick started the celebration to commemorate the important memory of Sarawak’s past and to spread the spirit of love for Sarawak.
Other highlights of the night included dance performances themed ‘Colours of Sarawak’ and ‘Thousand Hands and Thousand Hopes’, a colourful and bittersweet musical theatre performance on Rosli Dhobi, a special patriotic song titled ‘Dirgahayu Sarawak’ and a video screening titled ‘Sarawak Makmur’. — DayakDaily
