Boosting economic ties with Indonesia
With many S’wak firms already investing in Kalimantan, Premier eyes more business ventures
We already have cooperation to assist in the development occurring in Nusantara, particularly in South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg
Sarawak will look to capitalise on its existing good ties with Kalimantan, Indonesia by exploring other areas of business ventures, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said many Sarawakian companies are already investing in Kalimantan, particularly with the ongoing development of Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara, and the state will look to leverage on this to further strengthen cooperation including resuming flights to Pontianak.
“We already have cooperation to assist in the development occurring in Nusantara, particularly in South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.
“For example, Sarawak Energy Berhad has invested in power generation in Melinau, East Kalimantan, where we hold a 25 per cent stake in this hydropower development that will provide energy to Kalimantan,” he said.
The Premier said this to reporters a er gracing the Sumbangsih Raya 2024 ceremony at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday to hand over food packs to security agencies in conjunction with the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration.
He also said Sarawak and Indonesia sharing borders augers well for businesses on both sides to prosper.
Noting that the Indonesian government’s interest in expanding Sarawak’s involvement in hydroelectricity projects, Abang Johari informed that networking sessions have been held between the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneur Chambers and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak to explore other areas of business opportunities, including exporting Sarawak products to Indonesia and importing Indonesian goods.
On Tuesday, Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin was reported saying that Malaysian companies should seize investment prospects in the East Kalimantan region, especially in Samarinda and Balikpapan near the upcoming capital city of Nusantara.
Syed Md Hasrin also spoke about efforts to improve connectivity within the BIMPEAGA reagion, including air, land and sea routes, as well as initiatives such as the Asean energy grid.
Meanwhile, Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said this year marks the 34th anniversary of her ministry distributing food packs to security agencies in the state.
“This Sumbangsih Raya 2024 programme is organised as part of the state government’s efforts to express its sincerity and appreciation to all security and enforcement personnel who will be on duty during the upcoming festival,” she said, adding a total of 12,000 food packs will be distributed to 11 security agencies this year.
The recipients are the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Prisons Department, Immigration Department, Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Road Transport Department, Civil Defence Force, People’s Volunteer Corps, and Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit.
Among those present were Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.