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Sarawak premier: Bintulu drawing global attention as green hub

Sarawak premier: Bintulu drawing global attention as green hub

BINTULU: Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said that more companies from Japan, South Korea and Europe have been showing an interest in Bintulu, identified by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as an emerging low-carbon industrial cluster.
He said it is one of the 36 clusters identified by WEF worldwide and only one of two in Asia.
"This means we have become a focus of global attention.
"We are under global scrutiny. Not only do we offer low-carbon industry, but we also provide infrastructure, including real estate, hotels and conference venues."
He said this at the opening of a five-star hotel here.
He said he foresees more investors setting up plants in Bintulu.
"The state government will upgrade the transport network to connect Bintulu with the industrial areas in Kidurong and Samalaju."
Abang Johari said under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the state government will provide autonomous rapid transit (ART) services that will connect Bintulu with Kidurong and Samalaju.
He said Bintulu will be the second city in Sarawak after Kuching to introduce ART services.
He added that just like in Kuching, ART vehicles in Bintulu will be hydrogen-powered, improving mobility between the three towns.
He said the state government is building a 500MW combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant to supply electricity to residents and industrial users in Bintulu.
He added another 500MW CCGT power plant will also be built, bringing Bintulu's power capacity to1,000MW by 2035.
He said the state government will also build an international school.
"With the investments from the state government and private sector, I am sure that Bintulu will prosper."
He said Bintulu has transformed drastically since the 1970s, from the construction of LNG plants to the establishment of the Regional Corridor Development Authority.
He said the rapid transformation has extended to Kidurong and Samalaju.
He said when he became chief minister in 2017, he promised to continue with Bintulu's second-wave development, including opening new areas such as Kampung Jepak across Sungai Kemena.
"One of the promises I made was to build a bridge to connect the other side with the original Bintulu town."
He said that the bridge was recently opened to the public.
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