SARAWAK cannot simply export its natural gas and risk depleting resources without an industrial base in the future, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari, who is also the Finance and New Economy Minister, said the state was taking a balanced approach between exports and domestic development to ensure that its resources first drive local economic growth.
“We must be clear, we cannot afford to simply export our natural gas and wake up in 50 years with depleted resources and no industrial base.
“In doing so, we are not waiting for the future – we are creating it and positioning Sarawak as a leader in low-carbon industrialisation in our region.
“This effort will further strengthen our Bintulu Transitioning Industrial Cluster development that has been recognised by World Economic Forum as the first in Malaysia and one of the 38 industrial clusters in the world,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (Dec 3).
He explained that since its incorporation in 2017, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) has grown from a new state company into one of Malaysia’s leading oil and gas equity producers.
Through the Sarawak Gas Roadmap, Abang Johari said PETROS is transforming the state’s energy landscape by increasing domestic use of gas, powering new industrial hubs in Miri, Samalaju, Bintulu, and Kuching, and creating more high-income jobs for Sarawakians.
He added that PETROS is spearheading the rejuvenation of onshore hydrocarbons by combining advanced technology with international partnerships.
“In collaboration with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, PETROS is advancing exploration in the Mukah–Balingian area, while pilot works in Miri and surveys from Limbang to Mukah use modern imaging technologies to better understand onshore potential.
“These efforts aim to unlock new onshore resources in a careful, data-driven way, ensuring that development delivers long-term value to Sarawak and its people,” he said.
Abang Johari also highlighted progress in Samalaju, where the Bintulu-Samalaju gas pipeline and distribution network is advancing steadily, forming a vital energy backbone to provide a competitive and reliable supply for investors and support a higher-value industrial base in the state.
In Kuching, he said PETROS is pioneering Sarawak’s low-carbon future through the development of the Kuching Low-Carbon Hub with global anchor partners.
“This initiative will lay the foundation for a green industrial cluster, supporting cleaner gas-fired power, low-carbon industries, and future CCUS infrastructure, alongside new energy, transport, and port facilities,” he said.
He noted that each milestone PETROS delivers strengthens investor confidence, with investors increasingly committing to Sarawak because of the state’s vision, governance, and determination.
As the sole gas aggregator, Abang Johari said every molecule of gas is channelled into local industries, allowing the state to reinvest revenues into critical infrastructure and build a new economy.
