BY JACINTHA JOLENE & MARGARET RINGGIT
MIRI: Sarawak has all the key low carbon solution (LCS) ingredients due to its unique and distinct value proposition, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said this includes the largest hydropower capacity in Malaysia while over 60 per cent of the country’s gas reserves are in Sarawak, with the utilisation and carbon storage also in the state.
Abang Johari noted that LCS is fast becoming a global mega trend where Sarawak could continue to grow the socioeconomic pie, while at the same time, protecting the environment towards realising net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“With the combination of all natural advantages, Sarawak, I believe is well beyond the socioeconomic metrics and will become the new hub in Malaysia.
“Based on the data that I have, it could also be the hub for all Asian region,” he said when officiating at Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) and Petra Energy Berhad’s first onshore drilling ceremony at SK433 block in Canada Hill here, today (Oct 11).
He said Petros as the resource manager for carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), played an integral role in realising the benefit from CCUS for Sarawak and Sarawakians.
“Petros is the only resource manager as far as CCUS is concerned. Therefore, it means that all carbon storage activities, anything to do with carbon as far as offshore is concerned, is the purview and rights of Sarawak.
“Nobody has the right to manage carbon onshore, and the company that we have appointed to be the resource manager for storage and carbon as far as Sarawak’s waters is concerned is Petros.
“I would like to give this emphasis that all carbon storage activities are within the purview of Sarawak laws, particularly Sarawak Land Code, including licensing of operators.
“No other authorities have the right as far as this carbon activity is concerned and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), will protect this right for Sarawakians,” he stressed.
On March 15 this year, Petros received the first licence for carbon storage to begin its strategic role as resource manager for CCUS, which was issued by the Sarawak Land and Survey Department.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Petros chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo; Obyu Holdings founder and advisor Tan Sri Datuk Seri Bustari Yusuf; PETRA Energy Berhad executive director and Group chief executive officer Datuk Anthony Firdauz Bujang among others.
