Abang Johari says it again: We will not export our rare earth elements

SEMATAN, Oct 29 2025: The Sarawak government has reiterated its stance not to export rare earth elements (REE) abroad, but will instead utilise this high-value resource to generate technological and value-added products within the state.

Abang Johari Openg: Sarawak to establish a research centre to conduct studies on rare earth elements
 

 Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg said that REE found in Sarawak's soil is a strategic economic asset that can be a catalyst for the development of new industries in the state.

"We in Sarawak have these REE but we will not export them because they are an important economic material for us to create other materials," he said as quoted by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) at the Sarawak-level National Environment Day Celebration 2025, here today.

Instead, according to him, Sarawak will establish a research centre under the Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus to conduct studies on the potential products that can be produced from REE in Sarawak, including other studies related to the circular economy.

 “We will establish a research centre and we ask our students to study in the field of materials science and that we will not export REE,” he stressed.

However, Sarawak has taken a stand to utilise rare earth resources for the development of technology and the production of strategic products in this region including semiconductors.

The premier is believed to have made the state government’s stance known following the signing of a trade agreement between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the United States President Donald Trump on October 26.

The agreement, signed during the 47th Asean summit which Malaysia hosted,  included the supply of critical minerals to the US.

Last year, Abang Johari had said he did not see the need to make rare earth element (REE) mining activities its main industry despite being listed in the 10 states with high REE yields.

He had said the industry would affect the environment, pointing out that this went against the state government’s goal of emphasising the green economy agenda.

“We are not desperate to carry out REE mining activities. A study needs to be done first because it has a negative impact on the environment. We need to focus on other economic activities,” he said.

According to the Minerals and Geosciences Department, 10 states have been identified as having potential REE – namely Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Kedah, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Selangor and Sarawak – with an estimated value of RM809.6bil.