BY NATASHA JEE, ALEXANDRA LORNA, GOH PEI PEI
KUCHING: The Federal government has recently agreed that Sarawak should be represented in the soon-to-be-established National Energy Council (NEC).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg shared that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim approved Sarawak’s request on September 16 which he had instructed Economy Minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli to include a representative from Sarawak in the council.
“We (Sarawak) are not members of the Energy Commission, but we have asked to be considered as members of the Energy Council, which is to be chaired by the Prime Minister.
“This Energy Council will introduce policies for the whole country, and Sarawak is one of the regions that prioritises environmentally friendly, or ‘green’, energy,” he told reporters after attending the 2023 Kuching Zone Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Special Convention at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre today.
Highlighting Sarawak’s initiatives, Abang Johari, who also serves as the Minister of Energy and Environment Sustainability, mentioned the state’s unique technologies.
These include methods to reduce carbon emissions and harness renewable energy from sources like hydro and solar.
“We’ve also explored using biomass, particularly wood pellets, for energy production,” he added.
During a previous Federal Cabinet meeting in Kuching, Abang Johari stressed the need for Sarawak’s representation in the NEC when discussing the national energy policy.
“Sarawak deserves a place in the council, similar to having our representative in the Inland Revenue Board (IRB),” he said.
Meanwhile, Rafizi confirmed the government’s plans to establish the NEC. This move aims to support the execution of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). The first meeting of the council is slated for next October.
