BINTULU: Sarawak’s petrochemical industry has been further boosted with the export of 500,000 metric tonnes of methanol over the first eight months of this year, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said.
Without disclosing the value, he said the methanol was shipped to China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and several other countries, including Peninsular Malaysia.
“Sarawak’s first methanol plant in Tanjung Kidurong, with an investment of RM7 billion, has a production capacity of 1.75 million tonnes per annum, marking a new milestone for the state’s petrochemical industry,” he said at the Malaysia Day 2025 celebration here tonight.
He added that the state made history earlier this year by exporting its first methanol cargo to China.
“And what makes us even prouder is that Bintulu has been selected as the first location in Malaysia for the Transitioning Industrial Cluster (TIC) under the World Economic Forum,” he added.
The premier said this selection aligns Sarawak with global industrial clusters in developing low-carbon and sustainable technologies.
He also highlighted the value of these industries in creating thousands of jobs in Bintulu, benefiting both the state and the nation.
“In terms of logistics and infrastructure, the Sarawak government continues to ensure Bintulu has a modern and competitive network,” he said.
He added that the acquisition of the Bintulu Port Authority allows comprehensive planning of port development, making it not only the country’s main LNG export gateway but also Malaysia’s international trade hub in the Asean region.
“All these initiatives position Bintulu as a complete trade, logistics, and transport centre to support future growth,” he said.
Abang Johari described Bintulu as a symbol of Sarawak’s success in driving national development.
With its strengths in energy, industry, trade, and modern infrastructure, he is confident the city will remain an important pillar of growth.
“With the support of the federal government, private investment, and international cooperation, Bintulu will continue to contribute to Sarawak’s aspiration of becoming a high-income developed region by 2030,” he said.
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