KUCHING – Sarawak’s Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, received a courtesy visit from the Italian Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Raffaele Langella, at the Governor’s official residence in Kasuma Resort, Petra Jaya, on Tuesday.
The meeting marked Ambassador Langella’s formal introduction following his appointment to Malaysia. The session, which lasted around an hour, was attended by Dato Fenny Nuli, Director of the Sarawak Regional Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Discussions centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Sarawak and Italy, with emphasis on renewable energy, trade, higher education, and biodiversity conservation.
Both sides highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability and the potential for collaboration in clean energy initiatives.
Ambassador Langella conveyed Italy’s interest in supporting Sarawak’s ambition to become a clean energy hub in Southeast Asia.
He noted that several Italian industrial companies were keen to explore partnerships in the state, particularly in the development of green hydrogen and renewable energy projects.
Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi reaffirmed Sarawak’s commitment to sustainable growth, pointing out the state’s vast potential in hydrogen production and renewable energy.
He emphasised that Sarawak’s strategy aligns with global climate goals and the state’s long-term development agenda.
The conversation also extended to cultural and tourism exchanges. Both parties discussed ways to attract more Italian visitors to Sarawak, especially in ecotourism and heritage tourism.
The Governor expressed optimism that Sarawak’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage could appeal to European travellers seeking authentic experiences.
This visit builds upon earlier collaborations between Sarawak and Italian firms. In 2024, Sarawak signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Italy’s NextChem SpA to advance renewable energy projects, including hydrogen-based solutions.
More recently, joint efforts have been made to explore large-scale power generation initiatives, underscoring Italy’s role as a strategic partner in Sarawak’s energy transition.
The Governor and his wife expressed hope that ties between Sarawak and Italy would continue to flourish, opening new opportunities for development and mutual benefit.
Both sides agreed that closer cooperation could pave the way for stronger diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations in the years ahead.
