By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 14: Sarawak will extend its electricity supply from Lubok Antu to Badau in West Kalimantan following a request from the Indonesian government, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Speaking at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association’s (DBNA) Community Hostel official opening and 70th anniversary celebration here last night, he mentioned that Sarawak is already playing a role in strengthening regional cooperation through the Sarawak–West Kalimantan Power Interconnection Project, which has been operational since January 2016.
The project involves a 275kV double-circuit transmission line linking Mambong in Sarawak to Bengkayang in West Kalimantan, enabling Sarawak Energy to export up to 200MW of electricity to Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), Indonesia’s state utility.
“We are now supplying power to West Kalimantan. And Indonesia has requested us to move into the possibility of extending this power from Lubok Antu (Sarawak) to Badau (West Kalimantan), particularly Sikang.
“This means we have to increase the power supply to Indonesia and that will be the basis for us to collaborate with Indonesia,” he explained. An audio recording of his speech was later shared to DayakDaily.
He stressed that the extension of power connectivity will further strengthen bilateral cooperation while creating new economic opportunities, particularly in agriculture, trading and business.
At the same time, Abang Johari also disclosed that Tebedu and Entikong have been officially opened as a cross-border trading route after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gave his agreement during the 13th Annual Malaysia-Indonesia Consultation held in Jakarta on July 29, 2025.
“At first, they (Indonesian government) did not agree prior to the meeting.
“But at that meeting, President Prabowo himself agreed and said, ‘Let us open it for trade between Malaysia and Indonesia through Tebedu-Entikong route’.
“Through this, maybe the communities that reside in the area can have joint collaboration between our neighbour Indonesia and Sarawak,” he added. – DayakDaily
