SARAWAK Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that the construction plans for the proposed 1,000-megawatt (MW) undersea electricity transmission cable from Sarawak to Singapore are expected to be finalised within the first quarter of 2025.
Following this, a conditional agreement between Malaysia and Singapore is anticipated to be signed, marking a significant step forward in the ambitious energy collaboration between the two nations.
Abang Johari shared these updates during a public lecture at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, where he explained that discussions surrounding the technical aspects of the undersea cable, including its construction methods, were still ongoing.
He expressed optimism that these talks would be concluded soon.
"We are finalising the details on the construction method for the cable, and I expect these discussions to be wrapped up by the end of this quarter," he said, according to the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).
The undersea cable project, which would link Sarawak's power grid to Singapore, is one of the largest such projects in the world, with only three similar undersea cables in operation globally.
The project, designed to boost Singapore’s energy supply and diversify its sources, is a significant milestone in energy cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore.
Abang Johari also mentioned that the project was a key topic during a bilateral meeting between Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
During this meeting, various technical issues related to the procurement and installation of the cable were discussed, highlighting the complexity of the project.
In addition to the undersea cable project, Abang Johari revealed that he had met with Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, to discuss the establishment of a Singapore Consulate-General in Kuching, Sarawak.
This move was initially agreed upon during the 10th Malaysia-Singapore Annual Leaders’ Retreat in 2023, and discussions have progressed on the logistical aspects of setting up the consulate.
“The State Secretary will oversee the identification of a suitable location for the Consulate-General office. We also discussed potential areas of collaboration between Sarawak and Singapore, strengthening bilateral ties and fostering greater cooperation,” Abang Johari added.
These developments signal a growing partnership between Malaysia and Singapore, particularly in energy and diplomatic relations, with the undersea cable project and the new consulate playing central roles in enhancing bilateral cooperation. – February 11, 2025
