By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 18: Sarawak will not overexploit her valuable minerals as she explores and advances her mining industry, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak’s mining industry has a lot of potential including in graphite production, while other minerals could be mixed to produce a new product.
He also mentioned that he had recently sent a delegation led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan on a technical study visit to British Columbia, Canada, to explore their mining industry.
“I will wait for the delegation’s report first because it has to match with the survey conducted by Department of Mineral and Geoscience Sarawak that aimed to identify the minerals available in Sarawak.
“We will not over-exploit. We will only take some (minerals) only. What’s important is the valuable by-products,” he said after officiating Majlis Ibadah Qurban organised by Office of Premier of Sarawak (OPS) at Wisma Sabati here today.
He was commenting on Awang Tengah’s statement yesterday (June 17) who said that Sarawak is estimated to possess high value mineral resources worth more than RM1.25 trillion.
Abang Johari also mentioned Canada being one of the best countries in sustainable mineral management and exploration.
From a legal perspective, he said Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali who joined the delegation to Canada, would also come up with a benchmarking report.
Touching on Malaysia’s readiness to join BRICS – an intergovernmental organisation comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, Abang Johari commended the proposal, stating that it would strengthen the economy of the countries involved.
“Maybe the Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim is considering the move because the participating countries include two big Asian countries – China and India, as well as Brazil from Latin America.
“With us (Malaysia) joining as member, our economy would develop too and I think this should be considered,” he added.
In attendance were Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Sharifah Hasidah and Deputy State Secretary (Economic and Development Plan) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel. – DayakDaily
