LONDON: The Sarawak government is studying the relationship model between Scotland and the United Kingdom (UK) as a reference for developing a mechanism to distribute carbon levy revenues and regulatory powers between the state and federal governments.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said such a mechanism is essential to ensure that Sarawak receives a fair share of returns from its natural resources, particularly in emerging sectors such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).
“The key question is how carbon levies are shared between the federal and state governments.
“Therefore, we (the Sarawak government) are studying the model adopted between Scotland and the UK in determining a fair and balanced approach to revenue sharing and power distribution,” he said.
He said this during the Fireside Chat Session: Sarawak’s Global Vision – Sustainability, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships held as part of Sarawak Connects 2025 yesterday (local time).
The Premier added Sarawak is currently leading the way in developing a sustainable carbon industry, having implemented the first legal framework in Malaysia focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Touching on the management of strategic natural resources such as thorium and rare earth elements, he stressed that the state is not content with remaining merely a raw material exporter.
Instead, the state is determined to establish a complete value chain from upstream to downstream activities.
“To achieve this objective, we are collaborating with international agencies and investors who possess the relevant expertise and technology. If there is synergy, we can move forward together.
“To date, Sarawak has received substantial investments from South Korea, Japan and China. We are now exploring potential collaborations with European nations in an effort to diversify and expand our global investment network in a balanced manner.
“We aim to activate policies and economic activities rooted in our own strengths, and I am confident that this approach is already beginning to bear fruit,” said Abang Johari.
Earlier, the session was moderated by Lord Jonathan Marland.
