Abang Johari, accompanied by other distinguished guests, symbolically launches Saref 4.0 by placing his hand on the launch pad, signifying a collective commitment towards a sustainable future. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad

KUCHING (Sept 3): Sarawak will begin exporting hydrogen to Singapore in solid form within the next two months, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said an agreement has already been reached between a Sarawak company, in which the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) holds a stake, and a Singaporean company to facilitate the exports.

“There is already an agreement between Sarawak companies, where SEDC has an interest, and a company in Singapore to import solid hydrogen that we produce — what is called magnesium hydride. It contains hydrogen that will be sent to Singapore, and they will extract the hydrogen for usage. I was informed this will happen within two months,” he said.

Abang Johari told reporters this when met after officiating the fourth edition of the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (Saref 4.0) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.

When asked about the volume of exports, he said he did not have the exact figures at present but stressed that Sarawak is already capable of producing hydrogen in solid form.

“The process involves metallic hydride, which stores hydrogen — in this case, magnesium hydride. The hydrogen can then be released by heating the compound, which causes it to release hydrogen gas,” he explained.

On the potential profits from the exports, Abang Johari said the matter should be referred to the companies involved.

Earlier during the opening plenary session of Saref 4.0, moderated by CNN award-winning anchor and correspondent Kristie Lu Stout, Abang Johari described hydrogen as the clean energy of the future and highlighted Sarawak’s pilot project with Singapore.

“And that means, one day, hydrogen will become the energy of the future — and the cleanest energy. Now, talking about export of hydrogen, we are having a pilot project exporting to Singapore in solid form. It is called magnesium hydride. Actually, it is any metal together with hydrogen. And then you export in solid form over there, then you release it as a gas,” he said.

He added that improvements in logistics and technology will further enhance the viability of hydrogen exports.

“At the moment, there is a technology where you have compressed hydrogen in a tube, and that can be useful for export. I understand shipping companies are now building ships that can carry hydrogen,” he said.

Abang Johari also outlined Sarawak’s renewable energy initiatives, saying the state has achieved and maintained carbon negative status through its nature-based solutions.

“Carbonisation is a result of emission of carbon, and you have to mitigate the emission. Sarawak is blessed with water, sunlight, and biomass. These are all nature-based solutions that, together with advanced technology, can provide alternatives to fossil fuels,” he said.

Hydropower, he said, has been the foundation of Sarawak’s renewable energy drive, supplemented by solar power, biomass, and the production of hydrogen through water electrolysis.

Abang Johari noted that Sarawak is already exploring multiple forms of renewable energy exports, including hydrogen to Japan and South Korea, and ammonia as an alternative clean fuel.

He added that Sarawak’s strategic location and energy surplus position the state to play a central role in the future Asean power grid.

“With our surplus energy, we share with West Kalimantan, and we are looking into the possibility of sharing with our neighbours in Borneo, and ultimately within Asean,” he said.

Abang Johari also stressed investment in education as key to sustaining Sarawak’s green energy ambitions.

He said that starting 2026, the state will provide free tertiary education for Sarawakian students at state universities to encourage specialisation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), particularly in green technologies.

“We will be happy for this young generation to adopt current and new technology. That will determine our future, not only for Sarawakians but for the world,” he added.

Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Cambodia’s Senior Minister in charge of Special Mission on Islamic Affairs Oknha Datuk Dr Othsman Hassan, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, acting State Secretary Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma, Brunei Deputy Minister of Energy Datuk Seri Awang Mohamad Azmi Mohd Hanifah, and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili.