Sarawak mulls revamp of energy utility to meet Asean grid ambitions, eyes 15GW output by 2035
KUCHING, May 17 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called for the restructuring of the state-owned power generation and supply company, Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) to support the state's expansion in energy production and supply.
He said SEB's Board of Directors should look into the state's Electricity Ordinance, which governs the utility company, in order to establish a separate entity dedicated to ramp up energy production for the broader market.
'I leave it to the Board of SEB to look into this, and I hope that you (the board) can provide me with a (proposal) paper by the end of this year,' he said in his address at the SEB's Vendors Excellence Awards 2025 Night here yesterday.
Abang Johari said the proposed restructuring of SEB aligns with Sarawak's target to generate 10 gigawatts (GW) of energy production by 2030 and 15GW by 2035, as well as working towards achieving the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's aspiration to position the state as the core of the ASEAN energy grid.
'The Prime Minister has identified Sarawak as a central player in the ASEAN energy grid, and we are working towards that,' he said. He added that Anwar had also proposed that Sarawak supply power to the southern part of the Philippines once the mission to supply to Sabah is accomplished by year-end.
Abang Johari also revealed that SEB is in final discussions to supply electricity to Brunei. Plans are also underway to extend the supply network to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, creating an energy supply loop across the ASEAN region.
He said the regional expansion would open up new opportunities for SEB's vendors to enter other ASEAN countries to meet the growing demand for energy supply, and this requires more talented people.
'This is why professionalism among our vendors is important. Once you reach the standard set by SEB, the job will come to you. It's also vital that the vendor ecosystem stays in tandem with the expectations of the main employer,' he added. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Issues over Petros nothing to do with Petronas layoffs, says Fadillah
Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said Petronas is relooking its entire operation because of the decline in crude oil prices. KUCHING : Petroliam Nasional Bhd's (Petronas) move to trim its workforce stems from global challenges and is not connected to the national oil firm's issues with Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros). Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said Petronas's restructuring plan is necessary amid the decline in crude oil prices. He said he plans to meet with the company to get more details of the exercise. 'That (the decline in crude oil prices) is why Petronas has to relook its entire operation. I'm planning a meeting with them to get a briefing on the matter and to ensure that the number of layoffs can be reduced, if not avoided,' he told reporters attending the Aidiladha sacrificial event at Taman Hussein Mosque here today. On June 5, Petronas president and CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik Aziz said the national oil firm is cutting 10% of its workforce to cope with challenging operating conditions, particularly because of falling crude prices. He said the number of staff involved in the downsizing process stands at about 5,000, and those affected will be notified in stages next year. On May 21, the federal and state governments reached an understanding on matters involving Petronas and Petros. According to the joint declaration, Petronas will continue its functions, activities, responsibilities and obligations entrusted to the company in Malaysia under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and its regulations. Any agreements and arrangements between Petronas and its subsidiaries with third parties for the purpose of liquefied natural gas sales from upstream operations through to LNG exports to foreign parties remain unaffected. A media statement by the Prime Minister's Office following the joint declaration said all relevant federal and state laws relating to gas distribution in Sarawak are to co-exist and be respected by all parties.
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MACC to file application to forfeit Ilham Tower
MACC seized Ilham Tower yesterday for the second time. (Website pic) PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission will file an application to forfeit the Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur next week, says its chief, Azam Baki. Azam said the forfeiture application would be filed under Section 55 or 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla), Utusan Malaysia reported. Section 56 of Amla provides for the forfeiture of property where there is no prosecution, if a High Court judge is satisfied that the asset was the subject-matter or evidence relating to the commission of an offence under the Act, the proceeds of an unlawful activity, or the instrumentalities of an offence. MACC first seized the 274m-tall tower owned by the late Daim Zainuddin and his family under the MACC Act in December 2023. It previously said it could seize the tower for up to 18 months pending investigations. Yesterday, it announced it had seized the tower again, this time under Amla. Daim's widow, Naimah Khalid, plans to challenge the seizure in court. Last month, MACC opened eight new investigation papers into 'high-value' assets linked to Daim and his family members after receiving new information from overseas.
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Indian Muslim housing discount doesn't violate rights of others, says exco
Penang executive councillor S Sundarajoo said the initiative is aimed at increasing homeownership among groups with low participation in the open market and is not being done at the expense of others. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Penang's housing and environment committee chairman, S Sundarajoo, has defended the 5% homeownership discount for Indian Muslims under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign, saying it does not infringe on the rights of other communities. Sundarajoo said the initiative is aimed at increasing homeownership among groups with low participation in the open market and is not at the expense of others. 'This discount is offered by developers as a form of social responsibility and does not involve any financial support or subsidy from the state government,' he said in a statement today. He also clarified that the discount does not apply to units under the Bumiputera quota and does not affect any existing housing policies, including quotas or incentives for first-time buyers. 'All existing housing policies, including the Bumiputera quota, remain in place and will continue to be implemented,' he said. Sundarajoo said the move is also in response to the growing number of unsold houses in Penang, with 2,796 overhang units identified across the state as of the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the National Property Information Centre. The discount was approved by the state executive council on May 7 and by the state planning committee on Tuesday after consultations with housing industry stakeholders, he said. He said it also aims to boost the property sector, which has been affected by rising construction and labour costs. 'This aligns with the state's goal of promoting balanced, sustainable, and inclusive development,' he said. On Thursday, Sundarajoo announced that private developers will be encouraged to voluntarily offer a 5% discount to first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers for one year. The initiative has drawn criticism from human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who called the campaign discriminatory and unconstitutional. Policy to be reviewed, says Sim In a separate statement, Penang DAP chief Steven Sim said he has discussed the matter with chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, who has agreed that it will be brought for review and discussion at the upcoming state executive council meeting. He said that as a party founded on the principles of the Federal Constitution, DAP has always championed justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. 'It is important that the Penang government continues to uphold the principle of social justice and ensures that every Malaysian's right to homeownership is protected,' he said.
