Taib Mahmud woos House of Lords

SARAWAKIANS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY WHILE CM TAIB MAHMUD HAS BUILT A 'BILLIONAIRE' EMPIRE.

HOW DID HE DO IT? MACC & BN GOVERNMENT MUST CONDUCT A INVESTIGATION?

The Sarawak state government is strongly committed towards developing the sustainable energy industry in its effort to speed up economic growth and improve the quality of life, says Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

He said the establishment of the 70,700-square kilometre Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) with support from the federal government would smooth the transition of the state to a knowledge-based economy as well as reduce dependence on timber industry.

"The development of Score will ensure the potential of resources can be optimally harnessed in ways and means through a truly green and sustainable reforestration practice," he said in his address at the House of Lords in Parliament Square, Westminster, in London on Friday.

Abdul Taib said core of the corridor was the energy resources, particularly hydropower (28,000 megawatts), coal (1.46 billion tonnes), and natural gas (40.9 trillion square cubic feet), which are found abundantly within the region.

Besides renewable energy development, he said Score could also generate potential in food production and agro-based products apart from being the state halal food hub.

As of May this year, Score has received RM87.61 billion since its launch in 2006, making it the highest total investment received compared to RM60.18 billion for Iskandar Malaysia RM60.18 billion, RM39.94 billion for the Northern Corritor Economic Region (NCER), RM28.32 billion for the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) and RM32.01 billion for the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).

Also present were Deputy Foreign Minister Richard Riot Jaem, High Commissioner of Malaysia to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Zakaria Sulong, special advisor in the Chief Minister's Office Adenan Satem, Conservative Women's Organisation president Lady Fiona Hodgson, and the Muslim Council of Britain secretary-general Farooq Murad.

Taib to speak in Oxford

Meanwhile, Tanjung Manis Halal Hub Development executive chairman Norah Abd Rahman said the halal industry offered great potential for local entrepreneurs and could significantly contribute towards Sarawak's economic development.

Norah said Tanjung Manis would continue to take the necessary initiatives to ensure that the development of the hub meet industry players' expectation in terms of research and development, innovation, training and standards.

"The Sustainable Seed Banking Forum will be held in Kuching, Sarawak, in October to provide latest development, the challenges faced and the opportunities for business in seed banking," she said in her address.

Later, Norah conducted a roundtable meeting with UK-based small and medium enterprises and exchange views on policies across the halal industry and business opportunities in Tanjung Manis.

A high-level state government delegation led by Taib will attend several major events, including the inaugural Oxford Global Islamic Branding & Marketing Forum.

- Bernama