SARAWAK must move to safeguard its precious hydrogen resources, says Tupong assemblyman Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
He said the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Bill, 2024 provides legal provisions for regulations as well as the authority to impose levies or taxes on hydrogen activities.
“We simply cannot, I repeat, cannot, be caught with our pants down, when it comes time that other quarters are thinking of taking away our resources for their own gain.
“We have seen it happen before and we don’t want it to happen again. Once bitten, twice shy. We should remember this.”
He said this when debating on the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Bill, 2024 during the second meeting of the third session of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, Monday (Nov 11).
Earlier, the Bill was tabled by Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi.
Fazzrudin further said hydrogen is also covered under state law, which is the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO), a law which was passed pursuant to the Borneo states’ legislative powers order 1963 made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Article 95C of the Federal Constitution.
“It doesn’t come any clearer than that. This means all parties must respect the rule of law. Without respect to the rule of law, ‘arum bulak, gunung yang kukuh pun runtuh’.
“This amendment will ensure that all that we have worked for – the hydrogen that we produce will continue to belong to Sarawak, benefitted by Sarawakians and its revenues used to fund initiatives to serve our people better. No question about it.
“We are not being parochial, but Sarawak’s interests must come first, Sarawakians must come first. Sarawak First and a successful Sarawak will contribute to a successful Malaysia,” he said.
On a related note, he said Sarawak, which is set to establish a hydrogen development roadmap, would position Sarawak to be a key player in the clean energy market where the focus of the roadmap is ensuring its supply.
“In Sarawak, we have embarked on a number of projects for hydrogen production, supply, distribution and application.
“Among them are the H2ornbill and the H2biscus project, carrying a potential Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of USD3.2 billion and the potential local investment of USD800 million.
“My point is that the roadmap will ensure a clear investment path as well as participation in Sarawak’s hydrogen industry, positioning hydrogen as the alternative fuel,” he said.
He said this would mean that there is vast potential for monetisation and further bolster Sarawak’s revenue streams.
“It would entice international investors to come to Sarawak as it would provide clear policies to make decisions,” he said.
