By Shikin Louis
BINTULU, July 22: Sarawak Methanol Complex—the first State-owned petrochemical project—was officially launched in conjunction with the Sarawak Day celebration today.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the RM7 billion complex marks Sarawak’s entry into the petrochemical industry and its emergence as a significant player in the global methanol market.
“With this achievement, we can be proud that Sarawak will be one of the global methanol producers, capable of producing up to 1.75 million metric tonnes per annum of methanol,” he said during the launch of the complex in Tanjung Kidurong here today.
Even during the construction phase, Abang Johari said, the project has already created numerous job opportunities for locals and he expected it will continue to provide more employment for the people.
The state-of-the-art methanol complex, which showcases the adoption of a large-scale modular construction concept and jetty wave screen technology, a first of its kind in Malaysia, is owned and operated by Sarawak Petchem Sdn Bhd.
Abang Johari further said the methanol project is the first of six catalytic projects aimed at bolstering the manufacturing sector and increasing Sarawak’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“Other big projects I look forward to to bolster our manufacturing sector are the H2ornbill and H2biscus projects in Bintulu.
“I have high hopes for these two projects to materialise before 2030,” he added.
Speaking at a press conference later on, Abang Johari explained that the methanol plant will be able to produce 5,000 tonnes of methanol per day.
“The methanol produced will be commercialised in collaboration with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) for buyers in Asia and Europe,” he elaborated.
During the event, Abang Johari also witnessed the exchange of documents between Sarawak Petchem and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) in relation to the supply of natural gas to the methanol complex and for the development of the former’s upcoming low-carbon ammonia and urea plant project.
Additionally, Sarawak Petchem has formalised its bi-partite collaboration in renewable energy with Centre For Technology Excellence Sarawak Sdn Bhd (CENTEXS) and Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) respectively.
Other documents, including operational licences and agreements with relevant authorities were also exchanged.
Abang Johari also witnessed the presentation of appreciation awards by Sarawak Petchem chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain to six companies that participated in the Sarawak Methanol Plant Project namely Samsung E&A, China Communications Construction Company (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Rahabco Engineering & Construction Sdn Bhd, See Energy Sdn Bhd, WZS MisiSetia Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Caya Daya Sdn Bhd.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof; Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Federal Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi; and Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki. — DayakDaily
