KUALA LUMPUR: The Sarawak government is seeking greater federal funding for mineral exploration and development to enhance efforts to unlock the state’s vast mineral potential and support the growth of downstream industries.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the state had consistently invested in geological and mineral resource studies under both the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans (12MP and 13MP), but federal allocations remained disproportionately low despite Sarawak’s extensive land area and mineral wealth.
Representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the National Mineral Council Meeting at the Parliament, Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Jul 28), Awang Tengah said Sarawak had allocated RM15 million under the 12MP and a further RM18 million under the 13MP to identify and assess mineral resources across the state.
In comparison, he said the Federal Government allocated only RM1.36 million under the 12MP and RM1.91 million under the 13MP for the same purpose.
He urged Putrajaya to review and increase the allocation for Sarawak to a level comparable with other states, noting that Johor received RM6.5 million, while Sabah, Perak and Kedah each received RM4.5 million.
“A larger allocation would strengthen geological mapping and mineral exploration efforts, thus enabling a more comprehensive assessment of Sarawak’s mineral wealth while attracting greater investment and fostering the development of downstream industries in the future,” he said.
The National Mineral Council Meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, also discussed measures to strengthen cooperation between the federal and state governments in ensuring Malaysia’s mineral resources are developed strategically and managed sustainably.
