By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 29: There is an urgent need for ocean surveys to identify potential carbon storage sites and other valuable resources on Sarawak’s continental shelf, particularly around abandoned wells.
According to a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that effective carbon storage management requires precise seabed mapping and location identification, which demands cutting-edge technology.
“To achieve this, I have directed the Land and Survey Department to collaborate with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). We have allocated RM5 million to support UTM’s research efforts and train skilled surveyors in seabed mapping,” he stated during the 20th-anniversary celebration of the Land Surveyors Board Sarawak on Monday (Oct 28).
This initiative aims to build the expertise necessary to drive Sarawak’s environmental sustainability projects, with initial surveys revealing promising areas that meet the criteria for effective carbon storage.
Addressing agricultural policy, Abang Johari underscored the need to transform palm oil management.
“There is a lot of potential to repurpose waste products from palm oil production, such as creating fertiliser and wood pellets, to generate biomass for energy,” he said, stressing the sector’s need for innovation.
To support this, RM5 million has been allocated for research with Ta Ann Holdings Berhad, and an additional RM5 million will support projects at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.
Abang Johari also announced the approval of a piece of land for the Land Surveyors Board Sarawak in marking their 20th anniversary.
Deputy Minister For Urban Planning, Land Administration And Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datu Abdullah Julaihi; Land Surveyors Board Sarawak chairman Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood; Association of Consulting Lisences Land Surveyors Sarawak (ALCS) president Datu Sr Sudarsono Osman; and Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) general manager Datu Sr Zaidi Mahdi were also present. — DayakDaily
