Dr Hazland (seated third left) and Azizul (seated second left) in a group photo with some of the Sarawakian students during the gathering at the Sarawak Foundation House in London.
KUCHING (Feb 6): Sarawak has all the ‘ingredients’ needed to become a world player in climate change mitigation and renewable clean energy, said Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
The Deputy Energy and Environmental Sustainability Minister said this is in view that Sarawak has been blessed with abundant natural resources and is located outside the ‘Ring of Fire.’
On top of that, he pointed out that the state is also administered by a stable government under the visionary and futuristic leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Sarawak’s decision to set up the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability is in line with the global issue of climate change mitigation and the use of renewable clean energy in which the state has hydropower, solar and wind.
“This would be given top priority and the state would be taking an active role in this regard,” he said during a gathering with students from the Sarawak Student Association in London recently.
Yayasan Sarawak House played host to the gathering which saw over 15 students from universities such as the London School of Economics, Imperial College London, and University College London participate in a discussion with Dr Hazland.
Also present were Tanjung Datu assemblyman Azizul Adenan and Yayasan Sarawak liaison officer Kasubi Bakir.
Dr Hazland also spoke of his hopes for Sarawak, noting that with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) being gradually fulfilled, talented Sarawakian youths would be able to contribute effectively to the state’s development.
The Demak Laut assemblyman was optimistic that this would result in more job opportunities for Sarawakian students who studied abroad upon their return from studies.
Other topics brought up for discussion were on the state’s development of hydropower; rules, regulations and licensing for forest carbon trading and carbon storage; as well as Sarawak’s ongoing negotiation with the Singapore government on their carbon storage project amongst others.