Strengthening Mineral Potential Identification: Sarawak Applies to Federal Government for Increased Mineral Exploration Funding

(Kuching, 29th) The Sarawak Government has applied to the Federal Government to increase allocations for mineral exploration and development in Sarawak, in order to strengthen efforts to identify the true potential of its mineral wealth and to promote the development of downstream industries.

 

Representing Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah raised this matter while attending the National Minerals Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

 

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah stated that the Sarawak government has demonstrated continued commitment to advancing the state's mineral sector by allocating substantial funds for geological and mineral resource studies under the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans.

 

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, Sarawak allocated RM15 million, and an additional RM18 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan, to explore Sarawak's mineral resources and potential.

 

However, federal allocations are much lower, with only RM1.36 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan and RM1.91 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan—amounts considered disproportionate to Sarawak's size and its mineral resource potential.

 

Therefore, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah urged the federal government to consider increasing Sarawak's allocations in order to be on par with other states.

 

He pointed out that Johor received an allocation of RM6.5 million, while Sabah, Perak, and Kedah each received RM4.5 million for the same purpose.

 

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah said that increasing the funding would strengthen geological mapping and mineral exploration work, allowing for a more accurate assessment of Sarawak's mineral resource wealth and, in the future, attract more investment and downstream industry development.

 

The National Minerals Council meeting also discussed various matters related to national mining development, including strengthening cooperation between the federal and state governments to ensure that the management of the country’s mineral resources is implemented in a strategic and sustainable manner.