MUKAH – Mukah has been urged to explore emerging economic sectors linked to technology, carbon management and changing global economic conditions as Sarawak looks to diversify development opportunities in the division.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Mukah’s extensive peatland areas could offer potential for carbon sequestration and, in turn, create opportunities associated with a carbon-trading economy.
He said the changing global climate and economic environment meant Sarawak needed to consider how its natural resources could be managed sustainably while contributing to new sources of economic activity.
Speaking at a leaders’ dinner with community and ethnic leaders in Mukah, Abang Johari said the state had taken steps through legislation relating to carbon management while maintaining the importance of conserving natural resources, including peatlands.
“I wish to state here that we will manage the Mukah Division as effectively as possible. I have asked RADDA and the elected representatives in Mukah to explore new sectors that can benefit the local community. If we generate revenue and income, we will reinvest it in the people, including through infrastructure development in Mukah,” he said.
The Premier also pointed to technological developments in the hydrogen sector as another area with potential implications for Sarawak’s future economy. He said advances in technology were expected to make hydrogen production easier and more cost-competitive over time.
He also linked methanol production in Sarawak with the development of the hydrogen industry, indicating that developments in related industrial sectors could form part of the state’s broader efforts to identify new economic opportunities.
For Mukah, the discussion comes against the backdrop of infrastructure development that has improved connectivity within the division and between Mukah and other parts of Sarawak.
Abang Johari noted that road networks and bridges constructed in the division had provided an important foundation for further development. With basic infrastructure and connectivity in place, he said attention should increasingly turn towards economic activities capable of making use of those facilities.
The emphasis on new sectors reflects a broader shift in economic planning as governments and industries respond to technological changes, climate-related pressures and evolving global markets.
Carbon management is one area being considered in the context of Sarawak’s natural resources. Peatlands can store significant amounts of carbon, making their management relevant to discussions surrounding conservation, carbon sequestration and potential carbon-related economic activities.
At the same time, developing such opportunities would require coordination between state agencies, divisional authorities, elected representatives and local communities.
The Premier’s remarks placed emphasis on ensuring that potential new sources of revenue translate into benefits for residents through continued investment in local development.
The proposed approach also places infrastructure and economic development within the same planning framework. Connectivity can support investment and business activity, while new industries could create demand for existing and future infrastructure and services.
Abang Johari said state and divisional leaders therefore needed to align development planning with current economic and technological trends, while taking account of global challenges affecting traditional and emerging industries.
For Mukah, the focus on technology, carbon-related opportunities and new industrial activities represents a call to broaden the division’s economic base while making use of its existing infrastructure and natural assets.
The Premier’s remarks highlighted the need for continued exploration of sectors that could generate economic activity and provide longer-term opportunities for the local community. – Sarawak Daily
