Latest news with #SarawakEconomicDevelopmentCorporation
Borneo Post
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- Borneo Post
Jln Tun Jugah-Jln Stampin traffic light junction to close for 6 months from Aug 18 for ART works
Map from Sarawak Metro shows the affected road. KUCHING (Aug 6): The traffic light junction at Jalan Tun Jugah leading to Jalan Stampin, including access to Hui Sing Garden, will be temporarily closed for six months from Aug 18 until February next year. Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, in a statement today, said the closure is to facilitate the construction of viaduct pillars for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) station along the Red Line of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project. 'Road users are advised to drive carefully along this route and follow the traffic management measures and road signs that have been put in place,' it said. The company also encouraged motorists to consider alternative routes to Jalan Stampin to help ease congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow. 'Sarawak Metro is grateful for the public's support, cooperation and understanding as it strives to develop a modern green public transport system for the future convenience of all in Greater Kuching,' it added. Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), has been tasked by the state government with modernising public transport through the KUTS project. Phase 1 of the project involves the development of three lines: the Blue Line from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the city centre; the Red Line from Kuching Sentral to Pending; and the Green Line from Pending to Damai. The backbone of KUTS will be zero-emission ART hydrogen vehicles operating on dedicated, trackless lanes, supported by hydrogen-powered feeder buses for first- and last-mile connectivity. This adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles aligns with the Sarawak government's efforts to promote a hydrogen economy and decarbonise the state's public transport sector. ART KUTS lead road closure Sarawak Metro
Daily Express
30-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sarawak leads on clean energy
Published on: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 30, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: L/R: Abdul Aziz, Ng and Alia. KUCHING: Sarawak is showing the rest of Malaysia how governments and private sectors can work together to build a cleaner energy future, with the State already securing major partnerships for hydrogen production and green transportation projects. 'The Sarawak Government brings strategic vision, provides the policies, direction and forms the regulatory frameworks, while private sectors bring capital, technology, agility, research and development and innovation,' said Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Chairman Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Husain. 'When these forces are aligned through effective partnerships, the impact can be transformative,' he said at the recent International Energy Week Summit (IEW) 2025 hosted by the Sarawak Energy and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and organised by Informa Markets, a world leading market-making company. Daily Express was among those invited for the event at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, here. Abdul Aziz cited Sarawak's strategic partnerships with Japanese companies (Sumitomo Corporation and ENEOS) under Project Hornbill and South Korean companies (Samsung Engineering, Korea National Oil Corporation and Lotte Chemicals) under Project Hibiscus. 'Green hydrogen from these projects will not only cater for our domestic needs, but also exported to foreign markets such as Japan and South Korea in 2030,' he said. He said Sarawak is also constructing the Rembus Hydrogen Production Plant to produce five tons of green hydrogen daily, which will power Sarawak Metro's upcoming Kuching Urban Transportation System using Autonomous Rapid Transit technology. 'Hydrogen refueling stations are being built in major cities including Miri, Bintulu, Sri Aman and Sibu, enabling hydrogen-powered vehicle travel throughout the State. 'These stations will be operated through partnerships where private entities can own the facilities while receiving government support services,' he said. He said partnerships is not just about producing clean energy but also about creating new industries and job opportunities. 'We are not only talking about reducing carbon emission but also about creating new industries, providing or creating new skills and opportunities for future generations in Sarawak. 'SEDC Energy is developing a 15,000 tons per annum Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) pilot plant using two technologies, namely Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) technology processing crude algae oil, palm oil, milk effluent and used cooking oil in addition to the Fisher crops technology converting zinc gas from biomass or waste into liquid hydrocarbons,' he said. Despite the progress, he acknowledged that clearer government policies and frameworks are needed to encourage more partnerships and better coordination between State and Federal governments for renewable energy exports. One of the biggest challenges in clean energy is that projects require huge upfront investments with uncertain returns. When asked whether Sarawak prefers local or international partners, Abdul Aziz said 'We encourage both.' 'We want to produce hydrogen and maybe methanol and ammonia for exports, because these are required by other countries for their power generation and also for their mobility. 'We would also like to have more private sector partnership locally. For example, waste to energy for our plantations. We have a lot of land here which can be turned into say farming or grass, which can be used for power generation,' he said. He acknowledged the urgency of these partnerships is clear from regional data. 'Since 2023, some 1,300 renewable and energy transition projects have been announced in the Asia-Pacific region, with announcements doubling from 146 in 2023 to 313 in 2024, now surpassing oil and gas sector projects. 'This growth now surpasses oil and gas sector projects, showing that clean energy is becoming the dominant focus for new investments in the region. 'Clean energy transition is not a solo journey. It is a shared responsibility, a shared opportunity,' he said. Ernst & Young Parthenon Malaysia Managing Partner Ng Boon Hui said successful Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) require win-win arrangements with government-backed guarantees to address market risks. 'For investors to come in, because this is a capital extensive technology ... they need to identify the market risk and how do address this funding risk,' he said, adding that the solution often involves the government providing guaranteed buyers for the energy produced. 'You can see all this solar power purchase agreement. There is a partial purchase agreement, 25 years. So, your market risk is addressed with this power purchase agreement. Bank will come and loan you the money. 'This means companies know they will have customers for their clean energy for 25 years, making it easier to get bank loans and convince investors to put money into the project,' he said. 'Malaysia already have our first mega PPP project plus and we have also set up a PPP unit in 2009 and have implemented 513 PPP projects,' he said, pointing out that Malaysia has extensive experience in making these PPPs arrangements work. He noted however that clean energy partnerships require a careful balance of leadership roles. 'Survey data shows that 77 per cent people feel that all this clean energy must be led by the government. 'Led by the government, meaning in the form of clear policy framework and also the infrastructure talent drives the talent agenda. 'From the business side, the private sector play an important role whereby they need to bring in the right technology, perhaps initially from overseas, but there is a need for them also to channel the knowledge to train locals,' said Ng. 'Interestingly, while people expect government leadership, in terms of finance, 70 per cent come from private, meaning most of the actual money for clean energy projects comes from private companies, not government budgets,' he added. One key challenge is developing local expertise to maintain and operate new clean energy technologies. 'All this new technology, the parts, everything is coming from overseas. But how can we also build up our supply chain, SME, promote, groom them,' he said, adding that the solution involves partnerships that include knowledge transfer. 'There is a need for them to channel the knowledge to locals. But this is a chicken and egg story. I want to train locals whether we have the talent or not. That is where the government comes in to try to get the talent in,' he said. New South Wales Trade and Investment Director Alia Jaafar said international partnerships can bring fresh perspectives, citing the Central-West Orana Zone as Australia's first electricity transmission PPP project, which involved a consortium of five Australian companies. 'Our role is more on facilitation, for my role, I engage with the local stakeholders in Malaysia to understand what are the latest policies, what are the opportunities available,' she said. 'These are very important piece of information that will then provide feedback to our companies for them to assess whether Malaysia would be the right fit for their energy transition goals,' she said. She said New South Wales has successfully used partnerships to build renewable energy zones, citing the Central-West Orana Zone, the first electricity transmission PPP project of its kind in Australia. 'The New South Wales state government facilitated this project and we supported a consortium of five companies, private sector players, all from Australia operating in this space. 'If we confine ourselves within our own state, even though our state is big, we would not have that additional value added because we are confined to only what we know, but we do not know what other people know,' she said pointing out how working with international partners brings fresh ideas. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
22-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
SEDC chairman, wife given Kelabit names, signifying honour from community
Isaac puts the Kelabit traditional vest, 'Sapa Arit', on Abdul Aziz, after the presentation of Kelabit name certificate to the latter, witnessed by Nur Ashima (right) and others on stage. KUCHING (June 22): The Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) held a private ceremony today to officially declare the Kelabit name for Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain. According to RKS president Dato Isaac Lugun @ Maran Tadun, the formal conferment of the traditional Kelabit name 'Raja Buren', was made in recognition of Abdul Aziz's longstanding support for, and connection to, the Kelabit community. In Kelabit tongue, 'Raja' means 'king' and 'Buren' means praiseworthy. Moreover, Abdul Aziz's wife Puan Sri Datin Amar Nur Ashima Aziz was also presented with the certificate bearing her Kelabit name, 'Sinah Raja Buren' – acknowledging her grace, strength, and support as a partner in service, in keeping with the tradition of recognising both individuals in such a conferment. 'The conferment of a Kelabit name is a time-honoured tradition that reflects the community's respect and recognition for individuals who have maintained meaningful ties with the Kelabit people, and who are regarded as embodying the spirit of community, wisdom, and service — qualities exemplified by 'Tan Sri Raja Buren' (Abdul Aziz) and 'Sinah Raja Buren' (Nur Ashima). 'This gesture reflects the Kelabit community's appreciation of individuals who have stood in solidarity with us over the years,' explained Isaac. Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz, in his speech, said he was deeply moved by the honour accorded upon him by the Kelabit community. 'The name 'Raja Buren' will be with me, guide me, and keep me anchored in this meaningful relationship. 'It is also a promise that I will continue to support, to uphold, and honour the aspirations of the Kelabit people in any way I can,' he said. Abdul Aziz (seventh right) and Nur Ashima (seventh left) in a group photo with Isaac (fourth right) and other guests, including Dr Chan (sixth right) and Lorna (fifth right), taken after the ceremony. The event was also attended by former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and wife Dato Lorna Enan Muloon. The programme included a reflection on the significance of the Kelabit name by RKS advisor Datu Ose Murang @ Tadun Bala, and remarks by Pemanca Caleena Lallang Sakai @ Ribed Inan, who spoke on behalf of the community. In his speech, Ose spoke about an occasion in 2006 when Abdul Aziz, who was then the state secretary, visited Bario to officiate at several events including a dialogue with the Kelabit community there. 'During that visit, he (Abdul Aziz) also climbed up the 2,424m Mount Murud, the highest mountain in Sarawak,' he said.
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Abang Johari: Sustainable farming model key to lowering Sarawak's beef prices
Abang Johari (second right) seen participating in meat cutting during the Ibadah Korban Ceremony at the Al-Kawthar Mosque in Gedong today. – Photo by Roystein Emmor GEDONG (June 8): The state government is actively developing a new approach to reduce dependency on imported cattle and feed by introducing a sustainable circular agriculture model, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. This initiative aims to address the high cost of beef in the state, which has been reported as among the most expensive in the country, reaching up to RM95 per kilogramme (kg) Abang Johari attributed the current high prices primarily to Sarawak's heavy dependence on imported cattle and feed, particularly from Australia. 'We currently import cattle, including those we rear in Australia under SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation). 'However, the export tax imposed by Australia is quite high and payments are made in Australian dollars, which drives up the cost,' he told reporters after attending the Ibadah Korban Ceremony at the Al-Kawthar Mosque here today. Abang Johari said the new strategy involves implementing feedlot farming systems instead of traditional open grazing, allowing cattle to be reared using locally-produced feed derived from agricultural waste mixed with napier grass. This, he noted, would enhance cattle health and quality, leading to better yields. 'I have been to Lubok Antu and seen the potential of using plantation waste to produce biomass. This biomass can be converted into animal feed, which means we no longer need to import feed. 'Healthy, well-fed cattle are heavier, which means more value, whereas if the cattle are thin, no one will want to buy them,' he said. He also said that trials under this model are already being conducted through various government agencies. He said by producing animal feed locally and intensifying livestock farming under controlled conditions, the government hopes to eventually increase local beef supply and bring prices down to a more affordable level. 'We have 38 palm oil mills across the state that produce palm kernel waste. This can be used as livestock feed and even to generate bio-gas and bio-feed, contributing to a full circular economy,' he added. Abang Johari emphasised that the initiative is still in its early phase, having started two years ago. He noted that upon becoming Chief Minister six years ago, this was one of the priorities he looked into, but groundwork only began about two years ago. He expressed hope that these efforts would not only make beef more affordable but also improve incomes for local farmers, especially as Sarawak remains highly dependent on Australian beef imports. 'The long-term goal is to make our agriculture sector self-sufficient, ensuring stable supply so that demand can be met and prices controlled,' he said. A national daily had earlier reported that the average price of beef in Sarawak stands at RM64 per kg, significantly higher than in other states where prices range between RM27 and RM48 per kg. In some cases, premium cuts such as fillet can fetch prices as high as RM95 per kg, making Sarawak's beef among the most expensive in the country. abang johari cattle circular agriculture model lead
New Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sarawak reaffirms stand as Southeast Asia clean energy leader at UK conference
KUCHING: Sarawak has reaffirmed its position as Southeast Asia's clean energy leader, sharing the state's vision for its energy plans at the Energy Export Conference (EEC) 2025 in Aberdeen, United Kingdom (UK). In his keynote address, Sarawak Deputy Energy and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni emphasised strong policy commitment, sustained innovation investment and robust regional cooperation as the state's foundation for energy transition. "Sarawak is proud to be a pioneer in Asean when it comes to clean energy development. Our participation at EEC 2025 reflects our readiness to forge new global partnerships and export low-carbon energy solutions to the world," he said in a statement issued by his ministry on Thursday night. He said Sarawak's integrated strategy revolves around four strategic hubs – renewable energy, natural gas, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and hydrogen – each designed to foster regional resilience and sustainable growth. "With over 70 per cent of the electricity already derived from hydropower, Sarawak is on track to further expand its renewable energy capacity by 2030 and 2035," he said. He said Sarawak solidified its role as the "Battery of Asean" by actively pursuing regional power exports to West Kalimantan, Brunei, Sabah and soon, Singapore. Furthermore, Sarawak leads Malaysia in natural gas reserves and CCS potential. It is also pioneering hydrogen development with flagship projects and dedicated legislation to attract global investors. Meanwhile, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said global platforms like EEC play a crucial role in establishing resilient energy ecosystems. "Our presence here in Aberdeen is a statement of intent. Sarawak is open for business, open for innovation, and ready to lead in clean energy exports," he said. At the conference, Sarawak Energy Bhd shared its long-term sustainability agenda and cross-border grid integration plans while Sarawak Economic Development Corporation's subsidiary, SEDC Energy, highlighted ongoing collaborations with Japanese and South Korean partners to develop hydrogen and ammonia export capabilities. "These initiatives underscore Sarawak's commitment to innovation and international partnerships. Supported by comprehensive policies and strategic roadmaps, Sarawak's clean energy initiatives are unlocking new investment opportunities and creating high-value jobs for a sustainable future. "With international recognition from the World Economic Forum and upcoming events such as International Energy Week 2025 and the Sustainable & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF) 4.0, Sarawak is actively inviting global partners to join its journey toward a sustainable and inclusive energy future," the statement added.
