Sarawak Premier Arrives in Tokyo for 5-Day Official Visit

(Kuching, 16th) The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari, arrived safely in Tokyo, Japan yesterday, kicking off a 5-day official visit.

He and his entourage from the Sarawak government flew via a special flight, arriving at Tokyo Haneda International Airport at 6:15 PM local time.

Upon arrival at the hotel, he was welcomed by Malaysia's Ambassador to Japan, Datuk Shahril Afendi, Sarawak's Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry, and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen, and Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Hazland.

Other accompanying personnel include Sarawak Attorney General Datuk Seri Shafiee Ali, Sarawak Financial Secretary Datuk Seri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Deputy Secretary of Economic Planning and Development Datuk Seri Mohamad Abdullah, Premier's Chief Political Secretary Datuk Fadillah Yusof, and senior officers from the Sarawak government.

On the first day, the Premier of Sarawak is expected to conduct a working visit to the ENEOS Central Technical Research Laboratory.

As a company supplying 20% of Japan's primary energy, ENEOS aims to make next-generation energy such as hydrogen, synthetic fuel, and biofuel the "standard of the future" to achieve a carbon-neutral society. 

Following that, he will attend meetings with ENEOS Corporation, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Sumitomo Corporation, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The next day, the Sarawak Premier will meet with Boeing Japan to discuss Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and development and research related to it.

Next, meetings will be held with Sarawak government representatives and HighChem Co., Ltd., Integrated Design Engineering Holdings Co., Ltd. (ID&E), Mitsubishi Corporation, and Mitsui OSK Line, followed by witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Bintulu Development Authority and Pertama Ferroalloy/Asia Minerals.

On the third day, the Sarawak Premier and his delegation will visit the Tokyo Gas Yokohama Technical Station, a model demonstration facility for the local production and use of hydrogen and e-methane, as well as carbon dioxide recycling, and its spread across Japan.

On the fourth day, the Sarawak Premier and his delegation will conduct a working visit to the Mitsubishi Electric Takasago Works.

This hydrogen facility is an advanced facility dedicated to validating hydrogen technology to aid the global decarbonization process. It is the first in the world to cover the entire hydrogen chain, from production to storage and utilization. 

The facility also features advanced systems, including large electrolyzers, solid oxide electrolysis, and turquoise hydrogen production, which can produce hydrogen without emitting carbon dioxide. 

These innovations are being tested on hydrogen-powered turbines, enhancing the commercial competitiveness of hydrogen as sustainable energy.

The Sarawak Premier is expected to conclude his official visit on December 20th and then return to Sarawak.