GETTING ACQUAINTED: Abdul Karim (second left) introduces Harden and Dr Rahman (right) to Masagos (left) upon his arrival for the dinner.
KUCHING: Singapore can be a source of investment for Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), judging by the strong interest of the business community there in Sarawak, said the island republic’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli on Monday.
According to him, the republic would seriously consider collaborations for economic ventures and industrialisation development that could benefit both governments.
Earlier, Masagos made a courtesy call on Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, where he was received by Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.
“I have been briefed about SCORE and efforts by the state government to develop Sarawak and diversify its economic development. It is doing really well.
“I have yet to visit these places (SCORE) but it is certainly an area of interest by our agencies in Singapore to be exploring. We will see where we can take this up together,” Masagos told reporters before attending a dinner hosted by Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg at Hilton Hotel here.
He was responding to a question in regards to economic development ventures in SCORE and the possibility of enhancing air connectivity between the island republic and Sarawak to promote tourism, among others.
Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, was represented by assistant housing ministers Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis. With them was Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
The Singapore senior minister’s visit to the state was part of the island republic’s effort to strengthen its relationship with Malaysia, while identifying potential economic ventures it could establish with various states in the country.
Prior to his visit here, Masagos had earlier visited Kedah, Perlis and Pahang.
“Our prime minister enjoys the continuous strong relations between the two countries and the relation between these two countries has reached its strongest point over the past few years. I’m coming around all these states to see how we can build better relationship, to explore the landscapes to understand where perhaps, there is a bilateral benefit to cooperate on,” he continued.
On the sectors that his government had identified following these visits, Masagos said it was a bit too early to confirm as he had only done one visit to each state.
“It is very difficult, if in one visit you suddenly know what to do. However, I have been well educated through my meetings with various personalities,” he explained.
Masagos arrived in the state on Sunday, after which he was invited to a dinner hosted by Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.
On Monday, he paid a courtesy call on the Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin and State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
Masagos also had lunch with Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot Jaem. He was scheduled to fly off to Miri before heading to Brunei yesterday.