KUCHING – On Tuesday, Sarawak’s Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, hosted a courtesy visit from Robyn Cahill, the Northern Territory of Australia’s Minister for Trade, Business, and Asian Relations, during her official trip to Sarawak.
Cahill, who also oversees International Education, Migration, and Population portfolios, led a senior delegation that included Chief of Staff Brett Hannam, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Trade, Business, and Asian Relations Kelly Ralston, Acting Senior Director of the Office of Asian Relations David Orr, and Director of Study NT Renee Tennent.
The meeting saw participation from key Sarawak officials, including Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry, and Investment Datuk Dr. Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, and permanent secretaries from various Sarawak ministries, such as Dzulkornain Masron (International Trade, Industry, and Investment), Datu Abdullah Julaihi (Natural Resources and Urban Development), Datu Abg Ahmad Abg Morni (Energy and Environmental Sustainability), Datu Wong Hee Sieng (Transport), and Adana Jed (Education, Innovation, and Talent Development). Representatives from the Economic Planning Unit and Invest Sarawak were also present.
Both regions acknowledged their shared strengths, including abundant natural resources like petroleum, minerals, and agricultural land, as well as vast potential for renewable energy development, such as solar and hydropower.
Discussions centred on fostering collaboration in critical areas, including talent development, vocational training, higher education, oil and gas, manufacturing, and advanced industries. The talks also emphasized tourism, ecotourism, green mining, sustainable resource development, agribusiness, and food security.
Both parties expressed a commitment to revitalizing the mining sector through environmentally responsible and sustainable practices. Sarawak highlighted its interest in adopting best practices from the Northern Territory and Australia in managing national parks and natural resources to bolster conservation efforts and sustainably harness its rich biodiversity.
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah and Minister Cahill reaffirmed their dedication to deepening trade and investment ties, noting Malaysia’s position as the Northern Territory’s second-largest source of imports.
