KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) industry must be under the jurisdiction of the state government, said state deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
He was responding to the recent announcement by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli regarding the identification of Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak as potential leaders in the CCUS industry.
"The potential economic benefits from such high-impact projects are undeniable, and they could significantly contribute to the state's development and financial health.
"Sabah's autonomy over its resources is paramount, and it is essential that we have the authority to regulate and manage these activities to ensure they align with our state's specific needs and priorities.
"It is crucial to emphasise that the regulation and implementation of CCUS activities in Sabah must fall under the jurisdiction of the Sabah state government," he said in a statement.
Jeffrey added that Sabah is capable of managing the CCUS industry independently as it could enact its own laws to regulate related activities within the state.
He also said that the state government could leverage its state-owned enterprises (GLCs) to lead CCUS projects and establish partnerships with international organisations.
"Given the challenges we face in receiving adequate financial returns from our resources, such as the limited percentage we receive from our oil and gas revenues, it is imperative that Sabah fully manages its own resources.
"This approach will ensure that the profits and benefits are maximally realised for the people of Sabah, free from the constraints of federal oversight."