NEWS & UPDATE

KUCHING
3 SEPTEMBER 2025

The Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, today officiated the fourth edition of the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF 4.0) – a leading regional platform promoting collaboration and dialogue on the energy transition. Sarawak Energy’s flagship event, the biennial forum, is being co-hosted by the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (MUT) and the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESty). This year’s edition convenes more than 1,000 participants, including cabinet members from the Sarawak and Federal Governments, senior officials, elected representatives, international experts, industry leaders, academia and civil society representatives.

Guided by the theme ‘Partnerships for Our Goals - Sustainable Growth and Prosperity for the Region’, SAREF 4.0 moves beyond dialogue to action – focusing on practical solutions, genuine collaborations and outcomes that are sustainable, inclusive and connected across borders.

Speaking at the event, the Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, noted that Sarawak is positioned as a reliable regional renewable energy powerhouse, able to supply clean and competitively priced electricity beyond its borders while strengthening cross-border cooperation. He added that ongoing efforts to advance policy, technical and commercial frameworks will enhance grid connectivity towards the ASEAN Power Grid, enabling more resilient, sustainable and integrated energy systems across the region.

Meanwhile, The Honourable Dato Haji Ibrahim Haji Baki, Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad & PETROS) and Chairman of Sarawak Energy, said that SAREF continues to serve as a key platform for exchanging ideas and exploring solutions for Southeast Asia’s energy future. He thanked all sponsors, partners and exhibitors for their shared commitment and support in making SAREF 4.0 possible.

Setting the stage for SAREF 4.0, the Opening Plenary, ‘Partnerships for the Goals’, featured The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari, who shared perspectives on renewable energy, regional interconnections and Sarawak’s role in advancing shared prosperity through the Borneo Grid. Moderated by Kristie Lu Stout, award-winning Anchor and Correspondent for CNN, the session highlighted Sarawak’s commitment to both innovation and people-centred development, emphasising the importance of partnerships, workforce skills development and the adoption of advanced technologies -including smart grids, hydrogen, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage and floating solar - to build a resilient, low-carbon and inclusive energy future for all.

The launch ceremony also included the exchange of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

The first MoU, between the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of Sarawak on energy cooperation, establishes collaboration in the energy sector to support sustainable economic growth and development. The exchange was witnessed by the Premier, with Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi Haji Mohd Hanifah, Deputy Minister (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office, representing the Government of Brunei Darussalam and The Honourable Dato Haji Ibrahim Haji Baki, representing Sarawak.

The scope of cooperation under the MoU includes capacity building and the sharing of knowledge and expertise; studies and investment collaboration in research, exploration, development and production; exchange of best practices on energy policy; as well as other mutually agreed activities.

The second MoU, witnessed by the Premier of Sarawak and His Excellency Ajay Sharma, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, was exchanged between Sarawak Energy and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to formalise a partnership on cross-border electrical connectivity. Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Keiju Mitsuhashi, Energy Director for ADB, represented the two parties at the exchange.

The collaboration will cover and support technical studies, feasibility work, capacity building and funding avenues, which are expected to boost Sarawak’s interconnection capabilities and support wider regional energy cooperation, including for the Sarawak–Singapore Interconnection Project.

The ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF), managed by ADB, will support several technical studies with a financial contribution from the UK Government.

On 4 September, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), The Right Honourable Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, will feature in the Closing Plenary, where he will outline Malaysia’s vision for a sustainable and resilient energy future ahead of the 43^rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), with Malaysia serving as ASEAN Chair in 2025.

Subject matter experts from across Asia and beyond will share perspectives on a just transition, hydropower, gas and emerging opportunities such as the circular economy over the next two days. SAREF 4.0 will also feature discussions on financing frameworks, regulatory pathways and inclusive growth, alongside youth engagement.

The first MoU, between the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of Sarawak on energy cooperation, establishes collaboration in the energy sector to support sustainable economic growth and development. The exchange was witnessed by the Premier, with Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi Haji Mohd Hanifah, Deputy Minister (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office, representing the Government of Brunei Darussalam and The Honourable Dato Haji Ibrahim Haji Baki, Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad & PETROS) and Chairman of Sarawak Energy, representing Sarawak.

The second MoU, witnessed by The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, and His Excellency Ajay Sharma, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, was exchanged between Sarawak Energy and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to formalise a partnership on cross-border electrical connectivity. Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Keiju Mitsuhashi, Energy Director for ADB, represented the two parties at the exchange.