Energy sector to be mainstay of Sarawak's economy - Abang Johari

KUCHING - Sarawak’s focus on green and renewable energy would be the mainstay of the state’s economy towards 2030 and beyond, according to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

In a statement issued by the Sarawak Premier’s Office today, Abang Johari said the development of all other sectors was consequent upon the growth of the energy industry.

He pointed this out in his opening address during a meeting with Shell’s top officials at the oil giant’s headquarters in London today.

The premier, who is leading a delegation to Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom (UK), flew in to London from Oslo yesterday evening to wrap up a weeklong working visit aimed at studying Sweden’s Ombudsman policy, the carbon capture storage (CCS) initiative and policy of Norway and the UK as well as the renewable energy industry of these countries.

"The premier called on Shell that had a long history in the oil and gas industry in Sarawak to continue to become Sarawak’s partner in the development of its O&G resources including CCS.

"He paid tribute to Shell that had played a significant role in Sarawak’s economic development since oil was first drilled in 1910 in Miri,” according to the statement.

Among those accompanying Abang Johari were Deputy Premier and Sarawak Minister for International Trade and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Sarawak’s Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.

The Premier and members of his delegation were received on arrival at the premise by Shell executive vice president for conventional oil and gas Peter Costello, executive vice president exploration Marc Gerrits and Shell Malaysia country chair Siti Hurrairah Sulaiman. - BERNAMA