BINTULU: The Sarawak Government is mulling a law to mandate the collection of palm kernel waste from industry players to support downstream development.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said economies of scale were needed to ensure the waste could be fully utilised for products such as fertiliser, animal feed and biogas.
He informed that the State Attorney General (AG) was drafting the proposed law, expected to be completed by the end of this year.
“At the moment, some want to sell the waste, some don’t. That’s why we need a law that mandates the collection, so we can develop these residues into fertiliser, animal feed and even biogas.
“God-willing, by the end of this year. The AG is drafting the law,” he told a press conference after officiating the Sarawak Agrofest 2025 at Bintulu Old Airport here today.
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari noted that breaking down palm kernel produced biomass, which could be combined with napier grass to make animal feed.
He said Sarawak, now the largest palm oil producer in Malaysia, had already surpassed Sabah in terms of production and water carriage output, positioning the state to expand further downstream.
This, he added, would reduce dependence on imported feed while supporting poultry and cattle industries in Sarawak.
“Cattle can be fed with feed derived from palm kernels. When they eat, they will grow fat, and when they grow fat, we will have more yield,” he said.
The Premier also said that biomass from palm kernel crushing could generate biogas, which in turn could be processed into biofuel.
With further refinement, he said this could produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
“From palm oil, we can even produce jet fuel, which means we can add more value and income,” he added.
