KUCHING: Sarawak may extend its Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC) model beyond Bintulu to Kuching as part of efforts to accelerate the state’s green industrial transformation, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said while Bintulu is currently leading the state’s low-carbon industrial development agenda, Kuching must also position itself as a centre for green industries in the future.
“The TIC in Bintulu, we may extend also to Kuching. Kuching must also have a green industry,” he said when launching the SWG Green Complex and Decarbon Hub here today (June 15).
Previously, Sarawak became the first state in Malaysia to join the Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiative, placing Bintulu within a global network comprising 39 industrial clusters across 20 countries.
Abang Johari said the TIC concept, recognised by the World Economic Forum, focuses on developing low-carbon industrial areas that combine green processes, technology and skilled human capital.
According to him, Sarawak’s success in developing such industrial ecosystems will depend not only on access to clean energy but also on having a workforce capable of supporting emerging industries.
“What we need now is the process, the green process, and the human resource.
“Our government response is free tertiary education that will upgrade, upskill and reskill our human resource so that we can play our part in this new area,” he said.
He said Sarawak is uniquely positioned to lead the green industrial transition due to its abundance of both low-carbon gas resources and renewable energy.
He said international energy experts have acknowledged the state’s strengths, particularly during the recently concluded hydrogen conference.
“Sarawak is blessed. The director from the International Energy Agency acknowledged that Sarawak has the advantage,” he said.
Abang Johari said that the global energy landscape is evolving, with countries increasingly being categorised either as energy-producing “petro-states” or electricity-driven “electro-states”.
He said Sarawak stands out because it possesses characteristics of both.
“They call Sarawak an electro-petro state because we have both.
“We have gas, and we produce electricity through our low-carbon gas, methane. At the same time, we have renewable energy through hydro,” he said.
He added that the combination of hydroelectricity and natural gas gives Sarawak a competitive advantage in attracting industries seeking reliable low-carbon energy sources.
However, he stressed that industries must embrace advanced technologies and green manufacturing processes to fully capitalise on that advantage.
“What is important now is technology. We have to apply the right technology and move forward with renewable energy.
“In this way, we have the advantage,” he said.
