KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will lead a delegation to Manila next week to engage with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on advancing the ASEAN Grid.
He said the mission would explore opportunities to strengthen regional connectivity and economic cooperation, particularly through Sarawak’s role in supplying energy to the southern ASEAN region.
“God willing, next week I will lead a delegation to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for us to discuss the future of ASEAN.
“They were the ones who approached me initially, not me going there and chasing after them. And I promised that I would go to Manila with a delegation to look at strategic issues concerning the development of the ASEAN Grid, as well as development in Sarawak and Malaysia, particularly in the southern ASEAN region,” he said.
He was speaking at the 27th Malaysian Malay Contractors Association (PKMM) Sarawak annual general meeting and dinner at the Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday (Sept 2).
Abang Johari said Sarawak is ready to fulfil the role entrusted to it by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in advancing the ASEAN Grid and strengthening regional energy connectivity.
“Sarawak also has a role to play in what the Prime Minister has called for, particularly in supplying energy to the region, especially among the countries in the southern part of ASEAN,” he said.
In this regard, Abang Johari said he also welcomed in principle the proposed establishment of the Borneo Business Community (BBC), which would bring together business interests from Kalimantan, Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei Darussalam.
“I would like to share that last month, I was approached by the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, who expressed their intention to introduce or establish the Borneo Business Community (BBC).
“In principle, I welcome the establishment of the Borneo Business Community, which would encompass Kalimantan, Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei Darussalam,” he said.
He said the proposed BBC could serve as a platform to strengthen business cooperation across Borneo while complementing broader efforts to promote balanced economic development in the southern ASEAN region.
“Through this, we can develop our economy more evenly across the region. God willing, I hope this initiative can be successfully realised,” he said.
