KUCHING: A total of 44 development projects worth RM5.995 billion have been approved under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) for Sarawak in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, who is also the PETRA Minister, said the projects include 11 new initiatives and 33 ongoing ones under the first rolling plan for 2026, with an allocation of RM195.6 million, a 53.17 per cent increase compared to 2025.
“Of the total, RM172.4 million will be funded directly by the federal government, while RM23.24 million will be provided through loans,” he said when speaking at PETRA’s Media Night held at the Pullman Hotel here on Friday night.
Fadillah said the main focus of these projects will be on flood mitigation, coastal erosion prevention, river conservation, water supply, and sewerage system improvements across Sarawak.
He explained that under the 13MP, a total of RM24.7 billion has been allocated nationwide for flood mitigation projects, including those in Sarawak.
Additionally, the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction Programme from 2025 to 2030 will see a further RM25.25 billion channelled towards replacing old and leaking pipes to improve water supply efficiency.
For Sarawak specifically, he said under the fifth rolling plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), there are eight loan-funded water projects worth RM1.43 billion, including the upgrading of the Kuching Water Treatment Plant, Nyabau-Bintulu Plant, and statewide efforts to reduce NRW and repair ageing pipe systems.
“These projects aim to strengthen Sarawak’s water infrastructure and expand clean water access to areas that are still underserved,” he added.
On energy, Fadillah said although Sarawak manages its own electricity generation through Sarawak Energy Bhd, Malaysia continues to align with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase 3 (2020-2030), which targets 30 per cent renewable energy in the regional energy mix.
He noted that Malaysia’s current renewable energy capacity has reached 30 per cent, with a target of 45 per cent by 2030, while Sarawak is already leading the way with about 70 per cent of its energy sourced from renewables, primarily hydropower.
“Sarawak is also advancing in solar energy, including having Malaysia’s first floating solar project,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Peninsular Malaysia, he said PETRA is driving renewable initiatives through the Large Scale Solar (LSS) PETRA+ programme, which has opened 2,000MW for tender and attracted about RM6 billion in private investments.
Other initiatives include the MyBEST project, which involves a 400MW Battery Energy Storage System to address the intermittent nature of solar power, and the Solar Rooftop (Net Energy Metering) and CREAM (Community Solar) programmes, allowing homeowners to generate and sell electricity to the grid or within their communities.
Fadillah then thanked fellow media practitioners for their continuous support and collaboration with PETRA.
“PETRA dan media seiring sejalan, segulai sejalai membina negara terbilang,” he stated, reflecting PETRA’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with the media towards the nation’s progress.
