By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 14: Sarawak is ready to expand its electricity supply to the southern Philippines, as part of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), in a move aimed at strengthening regional economic and energy connectivity.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative follows a request from ASEAN Chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for Sarawak to study the feasibility of the supply extension.
“This is one of the key pillars in our economic policy, the post-Covid development strategy. Talking about economic development, it is indeed the task of Sarawak to share what we have with our neighbours.
“At the moment, we are having good electricity supply to our neighbour, Kalimantan Barat. We are also in the process of supplying power to our neighbour, Sabah,” he said in his speech at the State Gala Dinner held in conjunction with the 24th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) at a hotel here last night (Aug 13).
Abang Johari added that the proposed extension to the southern Philippines aligns with Sarawak’s commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable growth.
“With that, we hope that the network of economic deliberation and connection among us will strengthen the future of ASEAN and beyond,” he said.
The Premier further described the South China Sea as a “shared home” that requires collective responsibility and cooperation from all relevant nations to safeguard peace and prosperity.
He emphasised that Sarawak fully supports Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen peace, stability, and constructive cooperation in the South China Sea.
“Indeed, it is our firm belief that this meeting signifies our collective efforts to realise our shared commitment to peace, stability and constructive cooperation in the South China Sea.
“This region is our shared home, and together, we have the responsibility to ensure it remains a sea of peace and prosperity.”
Abang Johari noted that history has recorded the significant era of the non-alignment policy after the Bandung Conference in 1955, where the emerging leaders of Asia at that time, such as Soekarno of Indonesia, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India, and Zhou Enlai of China, laid the foundation that eventually led to the concept of ZOPFAN (Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality).
“I believe the spirit of ZOPFAN is still prevailing and present in ASEAN,” he said.
The event was also attended by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary-General Dato Sri Amran Mohamed Zin; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; and other distinguished guests. — DayakDaily
