Sarawak approves SST on export of ferroalloys and polysilicon, says Deputy Premier
KUCHING: Sarawak has approved the introduction of state sales tax (SST) on the export of ferroalloys and polysilicon as part of efforts to diversify revenue sources, says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. The Deputy Premier said the tax would be imposed at the rate of 1.5% effective Sept 1 this year. “This is a fair and reasonable rate for the affected companies as they enjoy tax incentives from the Federal Government and favourable power rates from the state. “The revenue generated from this source will give us fiscal flexibility in enhancing our socioeconomic development efforts which include, among others, implementing clean and renewable energy initiatives,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here on Wednesday (May 15). Uggah also said Sarawak collected RM14mil from SST on the export of selected timber products last year. He said that for this year, the state was projected to collect RM33mil from the tax, which was imposed effective June 1 last year. “Moving forward, the Sarawak government will continue to explore new opportunities to enhance and diversify our revenue sources. “This is imperative as we continue to pursue our development agenda so that no one will eventually be left behind,” he said. In addition, Uggah said Sarawak’s revenue was projected to be RM12.749bil this year. He said RM4.798bil or 38% of the projected revenue had been collected as of March 31. “Based on the performance thus far, we are confident we can achieve the targeted revenue projection for this year, barring any unfavourable circumstances at the global geopolitical level which could adversely affect oil and gas markets,” he added.
Sarawak considering to build new international airport in Kuching, says Premier
KUCHING (May 15): Sarawak plans to develop a new international airport in Kuching to support the growth of the aviation industry in the state, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. According to him, the construction of an international airport is necessary considering Sarawak’s air traffic is increasing and the insufficient facilities at the existing Kuching International Airport (KIA). “We are studying plans to build a new international airport due to the increase in our (air) traffic. “We are also looking at the international airport building now, I think there are not enough facilities with the increase in the number of flights and passenger traffic,” he told reporters at the lobby of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today. He was asked after he said during his winding-up speech that the Sarawak government planned to develop a new international airport following the acquisition of MASwings. The effort, he said, will make Sarawak another regional aviation hub for Asean. Commenting further on the matter, Abang Johari said it was time for Sarawak to have a new international airport because the existing KIA has exceeded its capacity to handle more traffic. “We will inform you about the location later. What is certain is that it will be developed in Kuching, because the international airport has to be in Kuching because we want it to be an aviation hub. “We already have a hub for ports, this time we need a hub for flights. It’s not only for passengers but for cargo, meaning it works as a commercial hub,” he explained. Regarding the funds to build the new Kuching international airport, Abang Johari said the matter would be discussed with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB). “Whether MAHB will be our partner to develop this airport depends on the availability of funds. “Perhaps we will develop together with MAB to build this new international airport,” he said. When asked on what will happen to the existing KIA, Abang Johari said it could be turned into an airport for chartered jets or private planes. “Of course the question is that the current KIA is sufficient or not in terms of capacity… so we need a new international airport, only after that we will see what can be done on the existing KIA,” he said.
Sarawak Skills sending teaching staff for hydrogen-tech training in China
KUCHING (April 30): Sarawak Skills Group of Learning Institutions (Sarawak Skills) has announced a series of staff talent development initiatives to support the Sarawak Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the Sarawak government’s ongoing initiatives in carbon reduction emission. According to Sarawak Skills executive director Hallman Sabri, 10 teaching personnel from its three institutions are undergoing hydrogen technology training in China. The staff members are from the Automotive and Welding Institute of Sarawak (Awisar), i-CATS University College and Sarawak Skills Kuching. “The training is being held over a period of two weeks (April 21-May 7) at Foshan Polytechnic and Foshan Feichi Motor Technology Co Ltd in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China,” he said in a statement. Hallman, also the Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres (FMSDC) chairman, added: “FMSDC has a long-established relationship with HWK Aachen, Germany to enhance the competencies of trainers from the various skills development centres under the umbrella of FMSDC.” In this respect, he said 15 trainers including three from Sarawak Skills would be in Germany for the Train-The-Trainer (TTT) Meister Mechatronic Programme, to be running from June 8 to 22. “Indeed, for Sarawak Skills, these staff talent development initiatives will go a long way towards supporting the noble course of human capital development for the betterment of current and future generations of the workforce in line with the PCDS 2030,” added Hallman. For more information about Sarawak Skills, go to sarawakskills.edu.my or its social media platforms (a@Sarawak Skills on Facebook, and @sarawakskillsofficial on Instagram).
Premier: Sarawak to replace coal with biomass at Sejingkat, Balingian power plants
KUCHING (April 28): Sarawak plans to replace the use of coal at the Sejingkat and Balingian power plants with biomass, in line with the state’s efforts to develop clean and sustainable energy, says Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Speaking to reporters after gracing the national-level World Water Day celebration at Kuching Waterfront today, the Sarawak Premier said doing so would not only reduce carbon emission but also provide economic benefits. He cited the Drax facility in the United Kingdom, which he visited recently during an official trip to the UK, as an example of a power plant successfully transitioning from coal to biomass as a source of energy. “At Drax, they previously used coal but have now replaced it with biomass. The investment (to change) is not high because the system is very similar. “This is what we want to use for Sejinkat and Balingian. We want to decommission coal. I have calculated that we can use our biomass to generate power,” he said. Abang Johari explained that switching from coal to wood waste could generate power exceeding 500 megawatts. “Now we only need to strengthen the boiler and also from the point of view of the motor machine, and this will enable Sejingkat (plant) to generate even up to one gigawatt,” he said. Touching on his visit to the Drax power station, the Premier said the insight he gained has provided him a valuable framework in further developing the state’s renewable energy sector, adding he will discuss this with state utility company Sarawak Energy Berhad. He also expressed happiness that the European community has recognised Sarawak’s role in addressing climate change. “We will share the technology we have in renewable energy production including biomass,” he said. Separately, Abang Johari said the implementation of cascading dams in the hinterland will be carried out elsewhere if the local population objected to it. “If they disagree, the government will move (the project) to another area. If they feel suspicious, we will go to another place where the people want (the project to be implemented). “Now we are implementing the project near Sungai Kanowit and Song. In Kapit, they want this cascading source, and we have a new technology that I mentioned as a tank elevator. “This depends on the theory of gravity, which means that the flow of water can generate energy,” he said. Also present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Sri Julaihi Narawi and his deputy minister Datuk Liwan Lagang, and Fadillah’s deputy minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
Deputy Premier in Sweden to explore sustainable forestry collaboration
By DayakDaily Team KUCHING, April 28: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan had a networking session with Business Sweden, an agency that promotes Swedish companies’ global growth and foreign direct investors’ expansion in Sweden.Awang Tengah was in Stockholm for a two-day working visit to promote Sarawak as an investment destination for Swedish investors, as well as to explore opportunities for collaboration in forest management, plantation, and technology to process planted timber species. According to a press release, the Deputy Premier was briefed by Swedish Forest Agencies, Swedish Wood Building Council, Ecco Innovation Foundation, and Billerud on topics such as the development of forest industries in Sweden, the use of engineered wood to construct timber structures, Ecco Innovation Foundation collaboration with other countries in Southeast Asia, and the pulp and paper industry.The industry has a structured mission to achieve a circular bio-based society for Sweden. During the same session, Paul Valentine, General Manager of Sarawak Planted Forest Sdn Bhd, provided an overview of the development status of planted forests in Sarawak, as well as opportunities for future collaborations and investments in digital technology, mechanisation for planted forest harvesting, and the production of high value-added products such as pulp, paper, engineered wood, and biomass fuel for the Swedish business communities. The Deputy Premier invited the Swedish business community to consider investing in Sarawak’s forestry, forest plantation, and wood-related industries. He pointed out that Sarawak is transitioning to a sustainable and renewable wood-based industry that uses material from forest plantations to produce engineered wood, biomass fuels, pulp, and paper.Sarawak also a geographic advantage because it is close to large markets with high growth rates, such as China, Japan, India, South Korea and Australia. Meanwhile, Business Sweden sees potential opportunities in Sarawak for research and innovation, digital forest management applications, forest industries for wood structure construction, and human capital development, according to the press release. Business Sweden, in collaboration with industries and agencies, will continue to engage in dialogues with Sarawak to identify areas of mutual interest that can be considered and implemented in the future. Also present during the working visit were Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Joachim Bengstrom; Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Natural Resources, Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Advisor to the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Investment (MINTRED), Dato Sri Mohd Naroden; Director of Forests, Datu Hamden Mohammad; Permanent Secretary of MINTRED, Dzulkornain Masron; General Manager of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Zainal Abidin Abdullah; Advisor to STIDC, Datu Hashim Bojet; CEO of Invest Sarawak Timothy Ong; and CEO of PUSAKA Capital Sdn Bhd, Mohd Nor Topek Julaihi. – DayakDaily
InvestSarawak dan Surbana Jurong tandatangani MoU perkukuh inisiatif ekonomi hijau
DUBAI, 5 Dis: InvestSarawak dan Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Pte Ltd menandatangani Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) untuk memperkukuh inisiatif ekonomi hijau di Sarawak. MoU itu ditandatangani Ketua Eksekutif InvestSarawak, Timothy Ong Wye Ern dan Pengarah Urusan Surbana Jurong (Infrastruktur, Tenaga dan Industri) Tan Wooi Leong. Majlis yang berlangsung di Pavilion Singapura di Dubai semasa Persidangan Perubahan Iklim Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (COP28) hari ini, disaksikan Premier Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. “Daya tarikan Sarawak untuk pelaburan, khususnya dalam sektor yang mampan dan kolaborasi dalam sektor utama seperti pembuatan, pertanian komersial, pelancongan, perhutanan, perlombongan dan perkhidmatan harus ditekankan,” kata Abang Johari. Beliau turut menyatakan komitmen Sarawak untuk pertumbuhan ekonomi yang bertanggungjawab dan mampan, menggabungkan prinsip-prinsip Matlamat Pembangunan Sosial (SDG) dan Pemerintahan, Sosial, dan Alam Sekitar (ESG) ke dalam Strategi Pembangunan Pasca COVID-19 2030 (PCDS 2030). “Matlamat keseluruhan kita adalah untuk mempromosikan kemakmuran ekonomi, inklusiviti sosial dan kelestarian alam sekitar di rantau tersebut,” ujarnya. -TVS
Awang Tengah receives courtesy call from Kuwait petroleum firm delegation
KUCHING (Jan 19): Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan received a courtesy call from Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) at his office in Wisma Sumber Alam here yesterday. According to a news release, the KUFPEC delegation was led by its country manager Mohamad Al-Sabti. Awang Tengah, who is International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, chaired the meeting which was held to discuss investment opportunities between Sarawak and KUFPEC in oil and gas. Also present were Deputy International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and representatives from Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), Sarawak Energy Berhad and InvestSarawak.
Courtesy call to Dr. Sim, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government
Thank you very much for the courtesy call by Timothy Ong Wye Ern, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Invest Sarawak, a new Sarawak Gov one stop Investment centre. #investsarawak Timothy Ong, a fellow Josephian, previously was Senior Deputy Director @ Malaysian Investment Development Authority #MIDA. Head of Circular Economy, Biomass and Renewables Unit. Welcome home Timothy. Together, let’s accelerate the international network for nation building for Sarawak #SarawakFirst #jagasarawakbait2 Skh
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Saksikan Pemeteraian MoU Antara InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank & UNGCMYB
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Saksikan Pemeteraian MoU Antara InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank & UNGCMYB KUCHING: Timbalan Premier Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan telah hadir menyaksikan upacara pemeteraian Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di sebuah hotel terkemuka di sini pada Jumaat. Pemeteraian MoU tersebut melibatkan tiga organisasi iaitu InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank dan Rangkaian Padat Global Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu Malaysia – Brunei (UNGCMYB). Datuk Amar Awang Tengah dalam ucapan ringkasnya berkata, perjanjian MoU antara ketiga-tiga organisasi tersebut adalah untuk menyediakan Sarawak untuk mencapai pemerdagangan antarabangsa yang mampan pada masa hadapan. “MoU ini ditandatangani untuk melanjutkan pembiayaan berjumlah RM1 bilion untuk Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) Sarawak dalam kesediaan perdagangan mampan dan daya tahan perniagaan terhadap pematuhan Alam Sekitar, Sosial dan Tadbir Urus yang baik antara SarawakInvest, Alliance Bank dan UNGCMYB,” jelas beliau. Beliau menambah kerjasama ini amat penting bagi memperkasakan lagi PKS Sarawak yang merupakan salah satu tunjang ekonomi utama di negeri ini. “Dengan bekerjasama dengan pihak yang betul seperti UNGCMYB ditambah dengan sokongan Institusi Kewangan seperti Alliance Bank, kami boleh menyediakan peralihan yang lancar untuk PKS yang merupakan tulang belakang ekonomi kita,” tambah beliau lagi. Dalam perkembangan yang sama, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah turut memberi jaminan bahawa InvestSarawak akan terus membangunkan dan mempromosikan lebih banyak inisiatif seumpama ini bagi memberi manfaat kepada PKS dan perniagaan tempatan di negeri ini bagi memastikan Sarawak dapat membina rantaian bekalan yang kukuh dan berdaya tahan yang bukan sahaja bertaraf dunia tetapi mampan dalam semua aspek. Hadir sama, Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Pelaburan Sarawak Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif InvestSarawak Timothy Ong, Pengarah Eksekutif UNGCMYB Faroze Nadar dan tetamu-tetamu jemputan yang lain. -EDISI UKAS #UKASnews #ukas5yo #SaluranInformasiRakyat #SarawakMajuMakmur
InvestSarawak, UNGCMYB dan Alliance Bank metrai MoU RM1 bilion bantu pembiayaan hijau PKS – Awang Tengah
KUCHING, 10 Nov: Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di antara tiga pihak telah ditandatangani antara InvestSarawak, UN Global Compact Network Malaysia&Brunei (UNGCMYB) dan Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, untuk melanjutkan RM1 bilion dalam skim pembiayaan hijau untuk Perusahaan Kecil Sederhana (PKS) di negeri ini. Timbalan Premier Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan berkata bantuan bernilai RM1 bilion itu akan memberi tumpuan kepada pembangunan perdagangan mampan kumpulan sasar. “Dengan bekerjasama dengan pihak yang betul seperti UNGCC, ditambah dengan sokongan institusi kewangan seperti Alliance Banks, kita (Kerajaan Sarawak) boleh menyediakan peralihan yang lancar untuk PKS yang merupakan tulang belakang ekonomi kami,” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian pada Majlis Pelancaran dan Pengenalan Program Pembiayaan dan Pembangunan Inklusif Iklim, di sini, pada Sabtu. Dalam pada itu, beliau meyakini InvestSarawak akan terus membangun sekali gus mempromosikan lebih banyak inisiatif untuk memanfaatkan PKS selepas ini. Hasrat itu menurut harapan beliau agar Sarawak dapat membina rantaian bekalan yang kukuh dan berdaya tahan yang bukan sahaja bertaraf dunia, tetapi mampan dalam semua aspek. Terdahulu, Kementerian Perdangangan Antarabangsa, Industri dan Pelaburan (MINTRED) Sarawak itu mendedahkan sehingga September, Kerajaan Sarawak telah meluluskan pelaburan bernilai RM 11.3 bilion untuk sektor pembuatan. Sementara, MoU itu telah ditandatangani oleh Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif InvestSarawak, Timothy Ong, Pengarah Eksekutif UNGCC, Faroze Nadar dan Ketua Kumpulan Strategi, Pemasaran dan Pembangunan Perniagaan Bank Alliance Malaysia, Dr Aaron Sum Wei Wern. Hadir sama Penasihat MINTRED, Datuk Naroden Majais dan Pemangku Setiausaha Tetap MINTRED, Dzulkornain Masron.– TVS
