MANILA: Sarawak is looking to strengthen its collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to turn major energy, technology and low-carbon development plans into viable projects.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said such collaboration could provide the expertise, technology and competitive financing needed to translate new ideas into projects with strong economic foundations.
He said implementing large-scale projects involving new ideas and technologies is not straightforward, particularly when it comes to securing stakeholder confidence and addressing costs.
“When we implement new ideas, it is not easy. We need to convince the stakeholders, and the next question is the cost,” he said in a news report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
He said this during a fireside chat with ADB at its headquarters here today (Sept 8).
Abang Johari said continued collaboration with ADB is important to ensure projects were economically and technologically sound, as well as financially viable.
He added that Sarawak is becoming more selective about the industries it seeks to attract, with greater emphasis placed on their value to the state’s economy.
Citing data centres as an example, he said investments should be assessed beyond their monetary value, taking into account job creation, energy consumption and the long-term resilience of the technology involved.
“Data centres are like warehouses that store data. In terms of job creation, I don’t think they create that many jobs,” he added.
Abang Johari said Sarawak should instead focus on future industries with greater potential to evolve alongside technological advancements rather than merely meeting present-day needs.
The fireside chat, themed “Powering ASEAN’s Sustainable Future: Sarawak’s Role in Energy, Connectivity, and Green Growth”, was part of Abang Johari’s official working visit to ADB headquarters.
The visit also included a meeting with ADB president Masato Kanda and the ADB Board.
