THE SUN WILL STILL RISE

APPRECIATION...... Taib looks at a memento presented to him by vice-chancellor and president of Swinburne University of Technology Prof Linda Kristjanson after the opening ceremony as Swinburne Sarawak pro vice-chancellor and chief executive Professor Ken Heskin looks on.

By : LIM HOW PIM

KUCHING: Sarawak’s hydro-electric industry will remain intact even if Hydro Tasmania pulls out of the state by the end of next year.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is completely confident that another corporation or two would join the state’s efforts to boost its renewable energy development.

Met by journalists here yesterday, he believed that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had their agenda which did not seem to tag along with the state government’s visions.

“That has nothing to do with technology and it is part of the NGOs’ politics. Well, they pull out, never mind. We can have somebody else.

“Bukan kerana ayam tak kokok, hari tak siang (It does not mean that there is no daylight if the cock does not crow),” he said after opening the Swinburne Sarawak Research Centre at the university’s campus here.

He was asked to respond to an online report that Hydro Tasmania would leave the state by the end of next year due to strong pressure from local and international NGOs.

Hydro Tasmania, a state-owned Australian hydropower operator and consultant, is reportedly under pressure for allegedly helping Sarawak build mega dams.

The news report quoted Hydro Tasmania’s chief executive officer Roy Adair as saying: “Hydro Tasmania’s role in Sarawak is diminishing.”

He added, in a press statement: “The business currently has five secondees working in Sarawak for the public-listed Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) as part of an agreement that has existed since 2010 to help build local skills and capability.

“This will shortly drop to four and all of these will be phased out as their contracts expire.” (BP)