KUCHING: The Sarawak Government’s push to become the sole gas aggregator in the state is part of its efforts to develop new industries in the sector.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said Sarawak holds 60 per cent of Malaysia’s gas reserves, comprising various components.

According to him, this requires a skilled workforce especially for industries within the sector.

"We can break down methane (CH4) molecules to produce other products such as methanol. By further processing methanol, we can produce ammonia. When ammonia is broken down, it will produce ethylene and propylene.

“If the process continues, we can even produce fabric. This is part of the chain reaction derived from gas.

"Therefore, the Sarawak Government aims to be a gas aggregator. With this resource, we can create new industries. We also need a talented workforce in order to separate gas components,” he said.

He spoke at the 9th Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) Convocation Ceremony at the CENTEXS Multipurpose Hall, Santubong on Wednesday.

The Sarawak Premier added that gas serves as a fundamental material for energy production, particularly in the creation of synthetic gas which is produced by extracting hydrogen from water and combining it with carbon to generate synthetic methane.

Therefore, he reiterated the need for Sarawak to have a skilled workforce equipped with the latest technology, especially in the fields of hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), to produce synthetic gas and generate energy.

"This is the government's plan. My colleagues and I in the state government will continue to move forward. We cannot look back.

"I need individuals who can help us realise this vision. They must be equipped with the latest technology so we can achieve our shared goals for a more advanced future for Sarawak,” he added.

Also present were Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Minister for Transport, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Chairman of CENTEXS, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Chief Executive Officer of CENTEXS, Dato Syeed Mohd Hussien Wan Abdul Rahman, Heads of Departments, CENTEXS Board Members, parents, and other guests. -UKASnews