KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has drawn parallels between Sarawak’s energy transition and Winston Churchill’s transformative decisions during World War II, highlighting the need for Sarawak to adapt to renewable energy sources.
Drawing from history, he referenced Churchill’s pivotal shift from coal to oil to power Britain’s naval fleet.
He said Churchill, as the First Lord of the Admiralty of the British Royal Navy in 1911, boldly adopted oil as the new fuel, envisioning that it would enhance the fleet’s speed and flexibility.
“Hence, he reformed the British Royal Naval and uses oil instead of coil. The Royal Naval managed to protect the United Kingdom and became the supreme power against the German fleet (led by Adolf Hitler).
“This is because the German fleet wasn’t able to cross the English Channel because the Britain Royal Navy was faster, flexible, and stronger. And this is the lesson we have to learn from the transition of energy from coal to oil in the early 90s,” he said.
He said this during the Sarawak Civil Service Innovation Convention Awards (SCSICA) held at Pullman Hotel here last night (Oct 27).
Having said that, he pointed out that now, 112 years later, the country is changing power from oil to renewable energy.
“Let Sarawak be another Winston Churchill. Just like him, we take calculated risk. We adjust ourselves to the new renewable energy and build a stronger Sarawak.
“Let Sarawak be the champion in the new technology in this region,” he said.
