Sarawak Energy, Japan Bank For International Cooperation Team Up On ASEAN’s Clean Energy Interconnectivity

From Karina Imran

OSAKA, May 31 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Energy Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to collaborate on renewable energy (RE) development, enhance cross-border energy infrastructure, and exchange technical knowledge. 

The partnership reinforced ongoing efforts to support Southeast Asia’s energy transition while advancing regional interconnectivity and sustainability. 

Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, said the agreement between Sarawak Energy and the JBIC would also help to enhance ties between Sarawak and Japan. 

“It is very timely. In this respect, I would like to invite more Japanese companies to invest and participate in Sarawak's economic development agenda,” he said after the signing ceremony during the opening ceremony of the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, today. 

The MoU was signed by SEB group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili and JBIC’s managing executive director Sekine Hiroki, witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. 

Also present were Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong and Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan Datuk Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany. 

In the statement, Sarawak Energy said the MoU establishes a framework for strategic collaboration with JBIC to advance RE initiatives and enhance regional interconnectivity. 

Aligned with the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative and the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), the partnership would contribute meaningfully to long-term sustainability and strengthen regional cooperation. 

“The MoU builds on continued engagements following the bilateral summit between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Putrajaya in January 2025. 

“The summit addressed key areas including trade, investment, energy cooperation, education and regional security, culminating in the elevations of Malaysia–Japan relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,”  Sarawak Energy added.

-- BERNAMA