KUCHING: Brunei continues to foster good ties with Sarawak through business relationships, which includes green energy and road accessibility.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday received a courtesy call from Brunei Darussalam Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Setia Dr Awang Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah and Brunei Second Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Datuk Erywan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Mohammad Yusof at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya here.
Erywan told reporters that Brunei is looking to continue fostering the good relationship between both countries.
“We paid a courtesy call today to continue the good relationship between both countries, Sarawak and Brunei, but in terms of relationship, there must be a business relationship so that everyone can benefit from it,” he stated.
The visit explored the opportunities both sides can tap into, where Sarawak can invest in Brunei through agriculture sector, energy, connectivity, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) etc, and vice versa for Brunei. In terms of energy, they are currently studying and exploring green energy, specifically such as the availability of hydroelectricity throughout Sarawak.
“We are also scouting whether such energy can fulfill our country’s needs now or in the future,” he said.
Erywan further mentioned that to his knowledge, the negotiations on the supplying of energy are in the final stages in commercialisation.
He added that for now, Brunei’s current energy is enough for the country but for the industry itself, it would not be as they are currently developing new industries and the people’s needs are increasingly growing thus alternative options are being looked into at the moment.
Regarding the road access to Brunei, Erywan said, “We do have an explanation from the State Public Works Department (JKR) where there is a plan or a suggestion to construct a new road and we will monitor the construction in the future.
“The Pan Borneo Highway was already agreed by Malaysia where it will cross into Brunei and thus, we are looking for an alternative ways to bring Brunei closer to Sarawak either through Limbang and others.”
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister cum Second Minister of Urban Development and Resources Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, E-Commerce Assistant Minister cum Entrepreneur and Small, Medium Entreprise Development Assistant Minister Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak Datuk Liaw Soon Eng and Brunei State Consulate in Kuching Awang Mohammad Kamaluddin.
