By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 30: The Sarawak government will collaborate with Indonesia’s PT Adaro Energy to jointly develop hydropower projects along the Batang Kayan in North Kalimantan.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the agreement was reached during his working visit to Jakarta on Tuesday (July 29), where he accompanied Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the 13th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultations.
“Sarawak will need to send more engineers to work alongside their Indonesian counterparts. This means our workforce will be operating beyond Sarawak’s borders,” he said during the launch of the Special Financial Assistance for Sarawakian Students in Institutions of Higher Learning, held in Kuala Lumpur and broadcast live via Ukas Channel today.
Abang Johari also shared that Sarawak is working with Abu Dhabi on solar power development, while Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo has expressed strong interest in participating in Sarawak’s hydrogen energy sector following his recent official visit to Japan.
“Therefore, we need a skilled and competent workforce equipped with relevant expertise to drive these efforts forward and position Sarawak as a global player in the energy sector,” he stressed.
He noted that foreign investor confidence in Sarawak continues to grow, as evidenced by increasing investments in various strategic industries.
“They see Sarawak as a progressive region in terms of technology, with a workforce that is adaptable and capable of being trained,” he said.
Abang Johari urged young Sarawakians to continue pursuing knowledge and higher education to support and accelerate the State’s ongoing transformation.
“Our younger generation will become global players in the new economy, especially as Sarawak advances key sectors such as green energy and hydrogen.
“In short, Sarawakian youths will be able to work anywhere in the world and build careers in any field they choose,” he added.
Among the dignitaries present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Attorney General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, as well as other federal and state officials. — DayakDaily
