Deputy Minister for Energy and Environment Sustainability Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni stated that the Sarawak government is in the process of establishing a hydrogen car assembly facility in Kuching.
According to him, this is consistent with the government’s drive toward alternative energy sources, lowering reliance on fossil fuels, and the car industry’s transition to renewable energy.
According to Dr. Hazland, the aviation business and the oil and gas industry are the two largest carbon emitters, along with the cement, fertilizer, and cement industries.
He noted that Sarawak has its own green economy policy and that the government is currently preparing a climate change policy.
Most people are aware that there are two types of electric vehicles: battery electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV)” (FCEV).
“Many BEVs are available on the market, but the origin and source of the energy used to manufacture the batteries are unclear.
Today, the 18th International Conference on Clean Energy (ICCE) 2022 was held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). He stated during a press conference that the state of Sarawak is focusing on FCEVs fuelled by hydrogen produced locally.
When asked about the site of the proposed plant, Dr. Hazland stated that it will be located close to BCCK, adding that he would defer the official announcement to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari.
During a previous business trip to Norway, he observed that approximately 75 percent of the population drives an electric vehicle (EV) and learned that the Norwegian government has enacted two regulations: the elimination of car import taxes and the introduction of an income tax deduction for EV drivers.
In his suggestion to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during their meeting two weeks ago, Dr. Hazland requested the Federal government to take steps to promote the usage of electric vehicles, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport.
In two to three years, local automobiles would be converted to EVs, he continued, if Malaysia were to adopt legislation comparable to Norway’s.
