KUCHING: Potential collaboration between Sarawak and Singapore could help turn water into a key economic driver by generating revenue, clean energy and industrial growth.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni that the proposed collaboration will involve the Ministry as well as the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication.
“We believe there is an opportunity for Sarawak to collaborate with Singapore through the Singapore Water Association, together with our two ministries.
“They (SWA) have expressed some interesting ideas. Water is not just for drinking or bathing, as commonly perceived and it holds great potential as a revenue-generating resource,” he said during a courtesy visit from SWA delegates to his ministry office at Baitulmakmur I building here on Monday (April 14).
Dr Hazland emphasised the multifaceted value of water especially in terms of its economic potential linked to Sarawak’s natural resources and infrastructure.
“Water can also generate energy, for instance, through our hydroelectric dams, run-of-river systems, and cascading dam infrastructure. Water is also a form of transportation.
“Even brackish water, for example, can also be a source of feedstock for our microalgae industry and other industries.
“Thus such a collaboration would align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN-SDG) 17, which promotes ‘Partnerships for the Goals’,” he said.
Meanwhile, SWA managing director Michael Toh expressed optimism about the synergy between Singapore and Sarawak.
“I think, firstly, Singapore-Sarawak shares a very special relationship.
“We have been sharing knowledge on how we manage water as water is going to be an existential challenge for many countries because of climate change and I think there are many ways for us to work together,” he said.
He added that Singapore places strong emphasis on energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
“We are starting the journey. We would be happy to work with our partners from Sarawak to study some of these possibilities.
“We are happy to be here and we look forward to a long-term relationship and collaboration with our friends and partners from Sarawak,” he said.
Also present were Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) director Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan and delegates from SWA and other ministry officials.
