SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd inks MoU with Samsung Engineering to develop and manage green hydrogen and ammonia project in Bintulu

KUCHING, January 26, 2022 – SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung Engineering, one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement, construction and project management (EPC&PM) companies to develop a green hydrogen and ammonia project in Bintulu.

The other parties signing the MoU were Lotte Chemical and Posco.

The signing ceremony, which was held in a non-face-to-face virtual format, was attended by seniorexecutives from each company, including Park Cheonhong, head of Samsung Engineering'sSolution Business Division, Kim Yeon-seop, ESG Management head of Lotte Chemical, Jo Joo-ik, Posco's Hydrogen business manager, and SEDC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain. 

The H2biscus Project is aimed to converting hydropower and natural gas to green hydrogen/methanol and blue hydrogen and for the conversion of hydrogen to ammonia, aiming to supply hydrogen and ammonia to Korea and Sarawak. 

Based on the results of the prefeasibility study conducted in 2021, the project is expected to produce 7,000 ton/year of green hydrogen for Sarawak’s local use, 600,000 ton/year of blue ammonia, 630,000 ton/year of green ammonia and 460,000 ton/year of green methanol. 

Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical, Posco and SEDC Energy will be taking an active role in developing the entire cycle of the project including direct investment, construction, transportation and utilization. 

The feasibility study is planned to be verified by this month through an in-depth technology, legal, financial, tax, and market analysis. 

After the Feasibility Study, Pre-FEED and FEED are completed, the EPC work will be implemented for the H2biscus Project. 

Sungan Choi, president and CEO of Samsung Engineering, said: “The H2biscus project brings theopportunity to produce a wide range of eco-friendly products, such as green hydrogen, green and blue ammonia, green methanol and CCU. 

The project will serve as an exemplary project of international standing for renewable energy trading and hydrogen transportation between Korea and Malaysia, establishing hydrogen-related standards for the two countries.” 

SEDC Energy, said: “H2biscus Project will play a pivotal role into this New Energy sector and thescope and magnitude of the project, will place Sarawak as a player in the global market as well. 

“The partnerships with Samsung Engineering, Posco and Lotte Chemical will make this a realitywhich we truly value and appreciate. 

“We hope our economic relationship between Sarawak and the Korean government will continue to blossom and strengthen and be in synergy with the global net-zero carbon emissions goals.” 

Samsung Engineering is also currently executing the Sarawak Petchem methanol plant project in Bintulu which is expected to produce 5,000 tons/day of methanol.

 

 

Bersih Sarawak slams Francis Harden over threat on longhouse chiefs

 KUCHING, January 26, 2022 - Bersih Sarawak has slammed Assistant Minister II of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden over his statement that it is awkward and absurd for longhouse chief who oppose the government to receive allowances or salaries from the government.

Its spokesperson Ann Teo said his views as expressed in such ‘lectures’ to the Tuai Rumah are not new, saying that it is the perpetuation of politics of patronage and the ‘Don’t bite the hands that feed you’ or ‘Anang Ngelaban Perintah’ mentality or narrative.  

“It is appalling  that this latest reminder is issued by a six-term term state assemblyman  that speaks volumes of how entrenched this culture or mindset is,” Teo said in a statement.

She said the appointment of headmen and community chiefs in Sarawak is under the Community Chiefs and Headmen Ordinance 2004.

“There is nothing democratic about this manner of appointing community chiefs who are supposed to serve their respective community first and foremost and in the old days chosen by the people whom he/she serves, and by which he/she assumes and has the legal and moral authority to settle disputes and manage the affairs of his people in general and is responsible for their welfare.

“By this Ordinance too, they become mere public servants, receiving allowances from the government to serve the government of the day,” she said.

“It is also well known that such appointments will not be a reality unless it is with the blessing of Member of Parliament (MP) or State Assemblyman of the constituency.

“There have been past reports of State Assemblymen asking Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) and their secretaries to quit if they do not support the government of the day.

“At election time, they would be expected to do the bidding of the party in government or its candidate.

“As they are in charge at village level, they can wield great power and influence and have been known to stop any campaigners of other non-government parties or candidates.

“This is unacceptable given the fact they are prohibited to hold political party positions as stated under the Ordinance,” Teo said.

She said during the recently concluded Sarawak state elections, one of the federal ministers announced when visiting Sarawak  that secretaries of JKKK  and their committee members would be given meeting allowances.

She said  this is certainly a breach of the caretaker convention as well as enticement or vote-buying except that it was not yet campaign period.

“We wish to remind Francis Harden of SUPP in case he has not kept up to date, that we still practice democracy in this state and country and the longhouse or community chiefs and their ‘anembiaks’ should be free to not vote or choose the incumbent if he/she has not served them well or have differing views on issues deemed important to them.

“Just like civil servants who are free to vote for whoever they desire to be their representative despite receiving salaries from the government, so too these chiefs.

“So too these village chiefs, they should be receiving their allowances as long as they serve their community or charges,” she said.

Teo said the chiefs should not be subjected to condescension  or worse, threats of stripping them of posts or some other reprisals.

“Perhaps it is time to return to village level elections by the people, rather than appointed so that the elected Tuai Rumahs will be free from such unwarranted coercion and hegemony,” she suggested.

 

 

Life at the Sarawak General Hospital almost back to pre-Covid-19 pandemic, says Dr Sim

 KUCHING, January 26, 2022: The situation at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) is almost back to pre-Covid-19 pandemic, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian after he and another Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah have visited the hospital this morning. 

He said during the Covid-19 pandemic a lot of hospital beds were used for Covid-19 patients while operations and surgeries for other non-Covid-19 patients were postponed. 

“Now, these beds are being used for non-Covid-19 patients while the number of beds for Covid-19 patients have been reduced greatly. 

Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (left) and Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian in a discussion with SGH director Dr Ngian Hie Ung during the visit to SGH. 

“During the height of the pandemic, more than 70 ICU beds were used for Covid-19 patients and at the moment, only a few are left. 

“So, there is no point to keep the ICU beds just for Covid-19 patients as it will deprive the other patients from using the beds after operations,” Dr Sim, who is also the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) adviser, said. 

Uggah, who is also SDMC chairman, said the state government has donated RM1.3 million for the installation of 36 ventilation  points at SGH, which are being used by non-Covid-19 patients. 

“We were really short of ventilation points at one point during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and that is why the state government had agreed to help the hospital to install the ventilation points,” he said. 

He said the state government is also helping SGH to build the intensive care unit (ICU) facilities at the hospital’s parking area. 

He added work on the facilities will start next month. 

Uggah said once these facilities are completed, the number of ICU beds will increase and be ready for possible rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in future. 

“What we are doing at the moment is preparing for the worse. At the moment the figures for the daily cases have remained low compared to the cases in September last year. 

“We do hope that the figures will continue to remain low,” he said. 

Uggah said one of the reasons for the visit to the hospital is that he wanted to know the number of Covid-19 patients being admitted and he was told that the number is very low which is in line with the number of  cases that are being reported daily. 

“In spite of that, I would like to caution the Chinese community who will be celebrating the Chinese New Year next week, that they should take note of the Covid-19 infection and it is still around and we have not won the war yet,” he said. 

“Even though we have the state election last month, where people mingled among themselves, we followed the SOPs, and that is why we have low number of Covid-19 cases now,” he said.

No Let-up in our determination to strengthen Sarawak's constitutional status, reassures Abang Johari

 

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, January 25, 2022: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg today gave his reassurance that the  that there will be no let-up in state’s determination to strengthen Sarawak constitutional status as a regional partner in the Federation of Malaysia, in accordance to the amendment of Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution with reference to MA63 and its annexures. 

He said with the recent amendments to the Federal Constitution that was originally proposed by Sarawak, the basic reference of the rights of the Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah is now duly given recognition according to the spirit of MA63. 

“This achievement thus far on MA63 is part of the 34-point pledge in the GPS Manifesto that is the embodiment of our promise to transform the State’s economy and care for the wellbeing of our people,” he said when addressing the State Civil Service Day here. 

He said the state government will work with the Sarawak Civil Service machinery in the execution of the policies on digital economy, sustainable development, decarbonisation and enterprises for economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability that will be driven by data and innovation. 

“At the heart of good policy implementation is an effective relationship between the political leadership and civil servants,” he said, expressing his confidence that that the combined strength of the civil service and of Sarawak GPS political leaders will ensure the success of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy by 2030. 

Abang Johari said since taking over in 2017, this government has implemented no less than 110 initiatives across various sectors in the state. 

“We built bridges, roads, dams and power plants. We implemented agriculture modernisation, explore hydrogen economy, upgraded school facilities. 

“We built our own station (TVS) and Digital Village, enhanced broadband coverage, improve

service delivery through Service Sarawak,  and even looking forward to set up Sarawak’s very own boutique airline. 

“Indeed, we look forward to many more discoveries, innovations and achievements ahead of us,” the chief minister said. 

Abang Johari also lamented that his regret that of the Projek Rakyat is quite slow in implementation. 

“It could be caused by “bureaucracy” or red tape, may be due to procedures, which has the effect of slowing down the process of implementation of projects or taking of corrective measures if there is any problem along the way,” he said. 

“Let me share with you a case in point – the Marudi Bridge, which has been delayed for a year or more. We have terminated the contract with the contractor and we have decided that a rescue contractor has to come in to complete the project, but certain procedures have to be adhered to that has been preventing JKR from taking the corrective measure as fast as desired. 

“I am not suggesting that we want to forgo procedures as the element of integrity or good governance must always be the basis of public spending. 

“But there are procedures that I believe can be adjusted so that our development can be expedited. 

“I do hope all of you who are members of our state administration machinery will take note of this.

“If there is any need to revamp the procedures then revamp them,” he said, adding that some of the procedures are obsolete. 

“I have directed State Financial Secretary to study the procedures not because we want to do away with procedures as stipulated in the Treasury Instruction, but we have to change procedures which are not necessary anymore. 

“With the advent of digital technologies, financial procedures need to be aligned more

practically with technologies as what had been done by the Land and Survey Department which has practically put information on land administration, including NCR, at the tip of the finger,” he said.

 

 

 

 

Muhyiddin has set a high benchmark - Datuk Ali Biju. Saratok MP

I refer to the claim by PKR’s Syed Husin Ali in a news portal today, August 25, 2021 that TS Muhyiddin is ‘just about the worst PM we’ve ever had’. 

Firstly, it is hardly surprising that Syed Husin should launch this kind of abusive attack upon the former PM. He is a longtime PKR leader and a hardcore supporter of Anwar Ibrahim. His view is hopelessly tainted by an aggressive partisan-ship. 

Secondly, Muhyiddin is not the worst PM, but ranks among the best we have ever had. No other PM before him, has sacrificed his job by refusing to compromise upon an important  principle. He preferred to sacrifice his position as PM, rather than give in to kleptocrats or interfere with court matters. Far from being a failed PM, he has set the gold standard on Prime Ministerial conduct. It is in the narrow political interest of the opposition and it’s supporters to pile abuse upon Muhyiddin, but history will judge him quite differently. 

Thirdly, for Syed Husin to blame Muhyiddin for the not ‘having enough of a majority’ etc is pretty rich,  considering that PH joined hands with the kleptocrats to repeatedly threaten Muhyiddin’s majority in the middle of a national health crisis. 

Worse, despite not having the numbers themselves, PH brought down the government in their absolute craze to achieve federal power. To compare, in British parliamentary practice, the opposition never brings down even a minority government, if they themselves do not have the necessary numbers to form government. 

There is little doubt that this irresponsible attempt at a power-grab will go down as one of the most disgraceful episodes in the political history of our nation, in which a starring role was played by Syed Husin’s PKR. 

Fourthly, lest we forget, Muhyiddin was the only Prime Minister to offer seven olive branches in the form of seven major reforms which would have far-reaching effect on the political landscape of the nation.

 These reforms were proposed by envoys from the Opposition in a series of meetings but when made public by Muhyiddin, were flatly rejected by the Opposition leaders. The Opposition's dishonest about-turn only accentuates Muhyiddin's gentlemanly conduct in keeping his end of the bargain.

Finally, I fully agree that criticism of public figures is a norm in democracies. But I must strongly deprecate the current tendency of some news portals to generate comments from politicians or so-called academics or analysts, to thinly disguise what amounts to sheer partisan abuse upon public figures whom they dislike or are against.