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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 5: Having the right economic policy and direction by leveraging on Sarawak’s resources and comparative advantages while also factoring in the imperatives of climate change has positioned Sarawak as Malaysia’s strongest State and elevated it to the status of an ‘Asean tiger’.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has underscored the pivotal role of this well-calibrated economic policy and direction in sustaining the environment and growing the economy to ensure Sarawak’s ongoing success and prosperity.
These principles were at the forefront of his engagements in Rotterdam and Japan when Sarawak implemented the hydrogen economy.
“Talking about climate change, people are now tackling climate issues where carbon emission is one of the causes of climate change globally.
“I have done some studies on this and prompted the need for a certain policy to mitigate carbon emission and reduce global temperature,” he shared with host Zahir Kelvin Ong Abdullah on the Money Matters programme, streamed live on TV3’s Tonton platform today.
Zahir has asked the Premier for his views on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appraisal in January this year of Sarawak as the Asean tiger, especially looking at the State’s economic growth.
Given Sarawak’s abundant natural resources, including its expansive forests and rich biodiversity, Abang Johari emphasised that the region possesses a unique capacity to contribute to climate management while concurrently abating carbon emissions.
Combining these assets, he said Sarawak could embark on carbon storage and trading activities, which will effectively propel the State into a new economic era rooted in sustainability.
“This is for the long-term interest of Sarawak as well as Malaysia. (Furthermore) There are a lot of opportunities in the transformation towards the new economy,” he said.
Attributing the Prime Minister’s recognition of Sarawak as the new Asean tiger to these very initiatives, Abang Johari affirmed his belief that the hydrogen economy and the broader transition toward the new economy would confer widespread benefits upon the population. — DayakDaily
