KUCHING: Sarawak needs to have full control of its gas supply and distribution in order to implement programmes that fully benefit its people without significant hindrances.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg reiterated that the state has the lawful right to control the distribution of its natural gas.
Regarding gas matters in the state, he mentioned that the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR) would involve channelling natural gas to other parts of the state.
“This move aims to ensure that the state can utilise more of its gas to develop its local economy rather than solely exporting it to other countries,” he stated in his 2024 Christmas message.
Abang Johari, who also serves as the Finance and New Economy Minister, mentioned that Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) has initiated the construction of a RM2 billion 500-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant project in Miri.
“This initiative is intended to enhance power supply in Northern Sarawak while pipelines are being laid to transport gas to Samalaju, located 70 kilometres from the gas terminal at Tg Kidurong in Bintulu.
“The SGR will also eventually facilitate the distribution of natural gas to other parts of Sarawak, particularly Kuching, where another gas terminal is planned at the proposed new deep-sea port at Tg Embang,” he added.
Furthermore, he mentioned that gas will also be supplied for domestic use, similar to the services in Miri.
