Sarawak's industries must transition towards comprehensive green production processes, says premier

KUCHING, June 16 2026:  Industries in Sarawak must transition towards comprehensive green production processes rather than relying solely on the use of green energy if they are to produce goods that meet global sustainability standards. 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says industries that practice green processes also have an advantage in gaining access to financing because financial institutions are now increasingly prioritising projects and products that meet the sustainable development agenda.

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the transformation must encompass the entire production chain, including the use of raw materials, technology and manufacturing processes that are aligned with the requirements of a low-carbon economy. 

“In other words, the raw materials used must also be green. For example, the steel used in the production process should be manufactured using green technology. 

“When the process is green, the products produced will also become green products,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the Opening Ceremony of the SWG Green Complex & Decarbon Hub in Demak Laut today. 

According to the premier, industries that practice green processes also have an advantage in gaining access to financing because financial institutions are now increasingly prioritising projects and products that meet the sustainable development agenda. 

He also said Sarawak holds a unique advantage in the global transition towards green energy, having gained recognition as an ‘electro-petro state’ with access to both natural gas resources and renewable energy. 

He said the world is increasingly shifting away from fossil fuels towards green and renewable energy in response to climate change challenges driven by carbon emissions. 

He said the transition has elevated the importance of clean and low-carbon energy sources in supporting future economic growth. 

“Sarawak possesses both. We have gas which generates low-carbon energy through methane, and at the same time we have renewable energy through hydropower. These are the energy sources required in today’s era. 

“At the international level, Sarawak is recognised as an electro-petro state because we possess both of these energy resources,” he said. 

According to him, during the recent Hydrogen Conference, representatives from the International Energy Agency (IEA) acknowledged the advantages that Sarawak has over many other regions. 

He said countries that produce fossil fuels are often referred to as 'petro-states', while countries that generate economic growth based on the use of electricity are known as 'electro-states'. 

He added that these advantages would enable Sarawak to meet future energy needs that are increasingly emphasising clean and low-carbon energy sources. 

In this regard, he stressed that technology plays an important role in ensuring the energy resources available can be utilised optimally for the economic development of the state. 

Also present were Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, SWG Energy group chairman  Abang Abdul Karim Abang Openg, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy and Petros) Ibrahim Baki, Chief Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel and other dignitaries.

Premier Abang Johari receives letter of appointment as patron of Sarawak Heart Foundation

KUCHING, June 16 206: Premier Abang Johari Openg has received an official appointment letter as patron of the Sarawak Heart Foundation, effective April 15.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg receiving a courtesy call from board of trustees from the Sarawak Heart Foundation, led by Dr Sim Kui Hian

The letter was handed over to him at a courtesy call by the foundation’s board of trustees led by its chairman Dr Sim Kui Hian at Satria Pertiwi Complex this morning.

Dr Sim also introduced the foundation’s board trustees to the premier.

Dr Sim said the appointment is a token of appreciation and recognition of his leadership in supporting efforts to empower the people's health in the state.

The discussion session also touched on the role and direction of the foundation in raising public awareness on heart health care, prevention of cardiovascular diseases as well as the implementation of educational and welfare programmes that benefit the people of Sarawak.

The visit also served as a platform to strengthen the collaboration between the foundation and the Sarawak government in expanding public health initiatives and strengthening the people's well-being agenda through various programs and activities planned in the future.

The foundation also expressed its appreciation for the willingness of the Sarawak premier to accept the appointment as patron, which is believed to further strengthen the role and credibility of the foundation in leading efforts to promote heart health and healthy lifestyles among the community throughout Sarawak.

Present for the visit were the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development of Sarawak and Trustee Member Dr Annuar Rapaee, Trustee Member Jamilah Anu and other dignitaries.

Sarawak does not need DAP, PKR, reiterates PBK president

KUCHING, June 16 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan reiterated that Sarawak does not need opposition parties from Malaya.

Caption: PBK president Voon Lee Shan says promises pledged by DAP and PKR have not been fulfilled

He said he believes Sarawak deserves opposition parties, independent, and accountable only to the people of Sarawak,   not to political headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"Sarawak's future should be decided by Sarawakians, for Sarawakians.The time may have come not merely to change the government, but to change the opposition as well," he said in a statement today.

He added for nearly two decades, Malayan-based DAP and PKR have asked Sarawakians to vote for "Change" (UBAH) as their campaign theme.

"Election after election, Sarawakians were promised a better deal, greater autonomy, fairer treatment, and a larger share of the wealth generated from Sarawak.

"Among the promises frequently highlighted were the return of 20 per cent oil royalty and the return of up to 50 per cent of federal revenues collected from Sarawak. 

"These promises helped win votes and political support from many Sarawakians who hoped that long-standing injustices would finally be addressed," he said, adding that  many Sarawakians are still asking: where are those promises until today.

Voon said when these parties were given the opportunity to participate in the federal government, the promises that sounded so convincing during election campaigns became difficult to fulfill. 

"To many Sarawakians, those promises now resemble election vouchers with an expiry date — valuable before polling day, forgotten afterwards.

"Sarawakians have long memories. We remember not only what was promised, but also what was delivered," Voon stressed.

Car driver killed in road crash in Sibu

SIBU, June 16 2026: A man was killed when the car he was driving collided with a 4WD vehicle at Pulau Dudong roundabout this morning.

Caption: The badly damaged car whose driver was killed in the collision

Sibu Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in a statement, said a car passenger, however, suffered injuries and admitted to the Sibu Hospital.

The driver of the 4WD was also injured.

The department said it received a call at 8.32am about the collision.

“Upon arrival at the location, the firemen found the collision involved a Toyota Hilux and a Honda City car.

“The driver of the Honda car was found trapped and was successfully extricated.

“The trapped victim was confirmed by the Ministry of Health to have died at the scene and was handed over to the police.

“The injured victim received initial treatment from the firemen and was handed over to the paramedics further treatment,” it said.