Use innovation to propel state forward – CM

KUCHING: Sarawak can tap into its abundance of resources to create innovative products and services that can propel the state forward, said Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Citing the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant ( HEP) dam now officially owned by the state government as an example, he pointed out that the acquisition has made Sarawak the largest power generator in the country, enabling the state to establish its own tariff among others.

“Therefore, if we have electric cars ( EV) here, it is most likely that we can control the tariff prices and we can also establish electric vehicle charging stations that supply energy to recharge the EVs.

“On top of that, if the state carries out research on the EVs in terms of the engine and how it uses energy to power the vehicle, perhaps in the future, we can also produce EVs,” he said at the Association of Malay Importers and Traders of Motor Vehicles Malaysia ( Pekema) Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri and Ngiling

We need this sort of ICT technology now because this will enable us to develop the rural areas and not be dependent on foreign workers.

Tikai celebration at a leading hotel here on Sunday.

Abang Johari also disclosed that he would be travelling to Paris in October to view hydrogenpowered cars.

“I will be there to look at this new technology and if it happens, maybe we can use this technology on our public transport much like the Bus Rapid Transit which is eco-friendly.”

He also touched on using “vehicles that have the technology” to assist in the agriculture sector such as harvesting fresh fruit bunches ( FFB) in oil palm plantations.

“For instance, vehicles which have been attached with an ‘arm’ to enable the plucking of FFB or even attached with a sensor that uses technology to determine whether the FFB is ripe or not.

“We need this sort of ICT technology now because this will enable us to develop the rural areas and not be dependent on foreign workers,” he said.

In view of this, Abang Johari expressed his confidence that Pekema will endeavour to be innovative and keep itself abreast with the present development of transportation.

“I am confident that the president as well as members can think of the direction to take in terms of the transportation industry.”

During the celebration, Abang Johari and his wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang presented ‘duit raya’ to 30 needy recipients from Yayasan Kemajuan Insan Sarawak ( Yakin).

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong and Pekema president Datuk Seri Abang Khalid Abang Marzuki.

Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister