KUCHING: The Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Sarawak branch is encouraged to collaborate with the state government to explore new areas, particularly the state’s continental shelf.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said surveyors play a key role in helping the Sarawak government’s direction towards green energy.
Aligned with Sarawak’s development plan for carbon capture, he stressed that the sea areas need to be surveyed.
“You have to look at the hydrocarbon content of our continental shelf that is being used to store carbon.
“Because of our hydrocarbon potential and, at the same time, our move to go to the sour gas area, we want to change sour gas to sweet gas by extracting carbon dioxide and injecting it back into the earth.
“If that happens, I can tell you, Sarawak is one of the first to do carbon storage in this region,” he said during the RISM Sarawak 50th anniversary gala dinner at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night.
Abang Johari stressed that more manpower is required to help with the surveying process, adding that surveyors need to undergo specific discipline and training to go offshore.
“I have asked whether we have enough staff to survey the continental shelf because this is something new.
“You have to explore. Go underwater,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, RISM president Adzman Shan Mohd Ariffin, and RISM Sarawak branch chairman Sharlene Toh Shiow Lin.
