Abg Jo: Sarawak to develop own international standard Hydrogen Certification Platform
KUCHING (July 10): Sarawak will develop its own Hydrogen Certification Platform aligned with international standards, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The platform is part of Sarawak's broader strategy as the state positions itself as a regional hydrogen hub.
'To support market integrity, Sarawak will establish its own Hydrogen Certification Platform, aligned with international standards to ensure transparency and traceability,' he said in his keynote address titled 'Sarawak's Hydrogen Vision: Catalysing Green Growth for Asean and Beyond' at the World Hydrogen Asia 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, today.
'This platform can be a stepping stone for a broader regional collaboration to potentially establish an Asean-level certification platform for hydrogen.'
The certification platform is one of five strategic priorities outlined in the Sarawak Hydrogen Economy Roadmap (SHER), launched earlier this year.
The Premier said SHER is a structured and ambitious plan aimed at positioning Sarawak as a cost-competitive, reliable, and scalable hydrogen producer.
Sarawak's approach is backed by renewable hydropower, natural gas reserves, solar energy, and carbon capture potential, giving the state a unique advantage, he said.
'Today, our electricity is primarily generated from clean, firm, and affordable hydro energy — forming the backbone of our energy system.
'This monumental shift away from fossil fuels has yielded a remarkable 72 per cent reduction in our grid carbon emissions between 2010 and 2023, and it is now enabling Sarawak to lead Malaysia's charge in advancing hydrogen as the fuel of the future,' he said.
He stressed the state is focused on creating hydrogen hubs to achieve economies of scale, accelerating domestic applications, and securing long-term international offtake agreements.
'We believe that hydrogen is not just a clean molecule—it is a connector. It connects energy to climate, industry to innovation, and nations to opportunity,' he said.
With Bintulu's selection as the site for Malaysia's first Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC), an initiative by the World Economic Forum, he said Sarawak has been placed alongside 35 industrial clusters across 16 countries.
'This is a powerful recognition of Bintulu's strategic potential and Sarawak's commitment to clean industrial transformation.
'The TIC initiative brings together public and private stakeholders to co-develop innovative, low-carbon solutions – reducing CO2 emissions, spurring green growth and creating future-ready jobs,' he said.
Abang Johari pointed out Sarawak is already implementing green hydrogen initiatives, including the Rembus Hydrogen Plant, which will supply green hydrogen to the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), powering 38 ART trams and 55 feeder buses.
The state also operates multi-fuel stations and hydrogen-powered transport, while rural communities benefit from hydrogen innovations.
Abang Johari said Long Loyang clinic – Malaysia's first hydrogen-powered hybrid clinic – operates 24 hours a day using energy from sunlight and rainwater.
He proposed three areas for regional collaboration: certification, shared infrastructure and technology, as well as human capital exchange.
He called for countries to avoid fragmented efforts and move towards harmonised policy frameworks, shared standards, and coordinated investments.
'We believe that hydrogen is not a race to win, but a journey to share. A journey that allows emerging regions like Sarawak to contribute meaningfully to global decarbonisation while creating jobs, opportunities, and partnerships.
'So let us catalyse green growth together. Let us harmonise our pathways, reduce duplication, and build a hydrogen future that works not just for one country, but for the entire Asean region—and beyond,' he added. abang johari Hydrogen Certification Platform tokyo World Hydrogen Asia 2025
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