Pahang dreams of orbit; aims to harness the sun with spaceport, solar farm

New Straits Times

17-06-2025

KUANTAN: The fate of the proposed Pahang International Spaceport in Nenasi, Pekan now lies in the hands of the Federal Government.
State Investment, Industries, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee Chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib said the Pahang government has submitted its proposal to develop the facility, which would be the first international rocket launch site in Southeast Asia.
"The Pahang government fully supports the proposal, but the matter is still under review, and the final decision will be made by the Federal Government.
"The project requires approval from Mosti(Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation), the National Physical Planning Council, and the National Security Council. Establishing the facility involves environmental, security, and geopolitical considerations, so it must be thoroughly screened by the Federal government before it can proceed," he told reporters at the Pahang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) here today.
Earlier, Nizar launched and closed the AI for Productivity Transformation and Speed Grid-Connected Photovoltaic (GCPV) programmes respectively at PSDC in Semambu.
He was commenting on the status of the Pahang International Spaceport project, which he had announced during the Pahang State Assembly sitting in April this year. If approved, the facility is expected to be completed within the next three to five years.
Meanwhile, Nizar said the Chereh dam in Sungai Lembing is among the sites identified for floating solar farms as part of Pahang's renewable energy initiatives.
"We are identifying suitable locations such as dams, lakes, and former mining ponds. The Chereh dam shows potential, and we hope to begin the floating solar farm project within the next two years.
"Floating solar farms are crucial for land conservation, as they do not require the use of land that could otherwise be used for agriculture or industry," he said.
Nizar said that the Pahang government has introduced various initiatives as part of its commitment to sustainability and achieving the Net Zero 2030 target.
"Pahang is working closely with a United Arab Emirates-based company to develop the country's first wind farm, with sites identified in Pekan, Rompin, Kuantan, and Lipis. The total cost is projected at RM800 million.
"The Pahang State Development Corporation is currently overseeing five solar energy projects, each involving an investment of RM200 million," he said.
On the GCPV programme at PSDC, Nizar said the initiative, sponsored by Yayasan Peneraju, is a valuable effort to enhance specialised skills and increase employability in the green technology sector.