(Kuching, 18th) Sarawak is currently seeking opportunities for technology transfer and exchange cooperation with Japan in the electronic methanol industry.
Sarawak's Prime Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari, stated that electronic methanol is a key driver in reducing carbon emissions in energy-intensive industries.
According to him, this is because electronic methanol will become one of the fuels used to reduce carbon emissions.
“It's complex here (in Japan) because they want to produce synthetic gas, whereas we in Sarawak have natural gas, so we have no issues because we already have the basic materials. What we need is the technology to produce new products using natural gas as our raw material.”
Thus, Abang Johari mentioned that Sarawak's problem is not similar to Japan's, but Sarawak can export hydrogen to Japan. This means Japan will invest in Sarawak and set up factories in Sarawak, as some processes will no longer be needed, which means the production cost in Sarawak will be very low.
He made these remarks after visiting the Tokyo Gas Yokohama Technology Station and speaking to the media.
Earlier, Abang Johari was welcomed by Tokyo Gas Vice President Hideki Kimoto and was briefed on hydrogen and synthetic fuel electronic methanol production before touring the facility.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari expressed that Sarawak is very fortunate as it has abundant natural resources and can become an alternative energy solution for developed countries like Japan.
“So what I see now is that in Sarawak, we have an advantage, because we don't have synthetic gas, but we have natural gas, specifically methane, on our land. Until now, we have mixed methane sources with carbon dioxide, which will become the raw materials for products based on this gas.”