‘Renewable energy good for state’s future’

‘Renewable energy good for state’s future’

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KUCHING: Sarawak’s determined push to produce more renewable energy is prompted by its growing industrial sector and the need to reduce dependency on fossil fuel. Once the state becomes a major renewable energy producer, it would not only become a developed state by 2030, but also become the wealthiest state in the country, opined Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof. “With the initiatives taken by the state government, we can also sell our electricity to areas such as Kalimantan (Indonesia), Peninsula Malaysia and Sabah because these places need energy. This can be another source of income for our state.” Speaking at the launching of Kampung Sungai Maong village library here yesterday, Fadillah said the government’s focus now was on Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), and this mammoth initiative required a lot of energy. “The state government is aware of the future challenges in the supply of electricity required by the state. With the increasing price and declining supply oil and gas, there is a need to ensure sufficient electricity supply without relying too much on coal, oil and gas.” Fadillah, who is Petra Jaya MP, said once sustainable electricity supply hit a certain level, the state would be able to reserve fossil fuel for other purposes. On SCORE, he said the push to woo more investors into the state meant there was a need for Sarawakians to acquire sufficient knowledge and skills in order to grab the many projected employment opportunities. “When the investors come, they will need our skilled workers from universities and vocational schools.” On a related matter, Fadillah urged parents to instil the reading habit in their children, adding that if children don’t read, the chance of them gaining knowledge and skills were slim. “When this happens, how are we going to compete in the very competitive labour market and business industries? People nowadays are getting smarter in line with the rapid development of information technology.” In order to encourage the people of Kampung Sungai Maong to read, Fadillah proposed to the villagers to organise a reading competition among the villagers. He also encouraged students to master English and other languages such as Arab and Mandarin. At the function yesterday, he presented 10 1Malaysia computers donated by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to the village library. Community leader Hamdan Leman received the computers on behalf of the villagers. Also present were organising chairman Dr Zaiedi Suhaili, Padawan Municipal Council chairman Cr Lo Khere Chiang and his deputy Mohd Hashim Yap.  Posted on October 7, 2013, Monday  Borneo Post