Abg Johari proposes tie-up with Sabah on electricity
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg believes power supply is one of the fields in which Sarawak and Sabah can work together.
This is because Sarawak has surplus electricity to supply to its neighbouring state.
“We have more than enough power as we also have hydropower dams.
“If Sabah is lacking in power, we can send our power to Sabah,” he told a press conference after receiving a courtesy call from Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal at the new DUN Complex here yesterday.
Shafie acknowledged that Sarawak had the advantages not only in terms of supply and access but also infrequent electricity disruptions.
He said on top of that the electricity charges in Sarawak were also a lot cheaper than in Sabah.
“In Sarawak it is 16 sen per kilowatt while in Sabah it is 40 sen.
“If it makes it cheaper for industries to produce in Sabah because of the cheap tariff from Sarawak why not we cooperate,” he said.
On another matter, he said Sarawak could cooperate with Sabah in the automotive industry.
“If there is any part that we can produce in Sarawak for the industry we will manufacture them according to the needs of that company,” he said.
Earlier, Shafiee told a press conference that Tan Chong (Motor Holdings Berhad) during their courtesy call on him two to three weeks ago had proposed to set up its assembly plant at a site in Kota Kinabalu.
However, he said he wanted to share the benefits of the industry with Sarawak as a way to enhance cooperation between the two Borneo states.
“To me, there is a need to cooperate with our nearest neighbour, which is Sarawak.
“Maybe some of the components can be produced by the small and medium industries in Sarawak and some in Sabah.
“I want the spill- over of the industry to be felt not in Sabah but also in Sarawak and we will look in detail on what we can do in Sarawak as well,” he said.