KUCHING: A projected investment injection of RM64 billion to achieve an economic growth rate of six to eight per cent a year is a conservative figure as far as the Premier is concerned.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg reckons the state is in for a much higher investment value – about RM100 billion – as it progresses to becoming a high-income state by 2030.
“As of now, I feel the RM64 billion that we have estimated is very conservative. Because SEB (Sarawak Energy Berhad) alone is going to put in RM40 billion up to the year 2026. And that is only SEB.
“We have not included the investment into our hydrogen plants. That will be a few billion Ringgit. Then we are also going to set up an investment in sour gas separation plants. This will be roughly USD6 billion per plant and USD12 billion for two plants.
“More or less, we have RM100 billion to be injected into our economy up to the year 2030,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia on capacity and capability building and construction best practices to develop a skilled workforce in Sarawak, here today.
The Premier added that this will spur demand for skilled and competent workers, on top of commendable contractors who can deliver what was promised.
“That will create a scenario that Sarawak will be very busy up to the year 2030.” he added.
As such, Abang Johari called for more collaboration from the private and public sectors, emphasising the importance of working towards green initiatives.
“There are two quotations that are very important to any contractor. One is the Green Building Index (GBI), which has to be the standard when we do construction. And another is the issue of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) and it is very important because the banking sector will only finance (the projects) if this element of ESG is part of the project.
“As far as the state government is concerned, we are on track towards a green economy including production of hydrogen as energy for us to move forward,” he added.
