Potential shift of Indonesian capital chance to boost energy sales to Kalimantan, says CM
Abang Johari and Sipol (second left) with the rolled mat to symbolise the closing of Gawai Dayak. With them are (from right) Juma’ani, Sharbini, Abdul Hamed, Dr Rundi and Dr Abdul Rahman. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: State-owned power utility Sarawak Energy Bhd is eyeing the potential sale of more electricity to West Kalimantan, particularly if Indonesia proceeds with its plan to shift its capital there from Jakarta, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In this regard, he foresees no problem in Sarawak supplying more power to Kalimantan to meet their needs as part of the Borneo grid initiative, with the first interconnection to West Kalimantan having already been established.
“I do not know whether Indonesia will position its capital to Kalimantan (but) if they go to Borneo, it means they are closer to us. If they say they want power from us, we can supply to them,” he said during the Sarawak Energy’s Gawai Raya celebration here yesterday.
The chief minister added that he believed Sarawak Energy’s expertise and engineering skills would allow it to work closely with Indonesia, much like how the corporation is currently working with Sabah and Brunei on power exchange agreements.
He also called upon Sarawak Energy to continue pushing forward in exploring new products that could be marketed overseas to increase Sarawak’s revenue.
“I am confident that Sarawak Energy will be able to transform itself to become one of the biggest power generators in this region. At the moment, we are the biggest in terms of clean energy because of hydro energy,” he added.
A possible new product that the corporation could consider, according to Abang Johari, is the selling of bottled oxygen.
“The other day, about three days ago, I saw one bottle containing fresh oxygen called ‘vitality air’. It is being sold in bottles in China and is especially useful for people who have asthma.
“A bottle of this vitality air costs over US$40, and people are buying it just to get that quality oxygen. I imagine we can produce our own fresh oxygen from Sarawak Energy, which we can call ‘Borneo Vitality Air’.”
He said such an idea was not something far-fetched, and called out those who question his ideas as those of a ‘Mat Jenin’ (daydreamer).
“This is not a ‘Mat Jenin’ idea but (one that) can be done. It’s because when you read and you know the resources available, you know there is such a thing as DNA analytics.
“You have big data, the data can be analysed. When you know the DNA, you can produce it,” he said.
Among those present at the Gawai-Raya do were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili and Sarawak Energy Land and Wayleave general manager Sipol Ambun.