KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is exploring the possibility of producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources.
State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe said Sabah had a bigger prospect of moving beyond green and sustainable industries.
"When we talk about renewable energy, it's not just about energy but also its industrial potential, as the end-product can be hydrogen when the process of electrolysis is carried out.
"Sarawak, for instance, is working with a Korean company that turns water from dams into hydrogen, which is a very new concept.
"The entire world is heading towards hydrogen. Given Sabah's favourable environment, our energy can be further leveraged to produce hydrogen downstream," he said at the launch of the "Green Innovation for Sustainable Growth" forum in Kota Kinabalu.
Phoong, who is also Luyang assemblyman, expressed his desire to collaborate with the federal government to accelerate the industry's growth in Sabah.
He emphasised that the investment would create job opportunities, especially high-paying skilled jobs, and enhance infrastructure development in Sabah.
Phoong said a roundtable meeting would take place involving multiple government agencies at the federal level to discuss the industry's future in the state.
The meeting, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, is expected to be attended by Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
"The roundtable meeting is aimed at discussing the strategy, identifying future industries that we should tap into, outlining our demands and requirements to the federal government, and determining how the federal government can support us.
"We need to establish better relationships, cooperation and collaboration with the federal government and agencies," said Phoong.
Sabah Entrepreneurs Transformation founder Datuk George Lim was present at the event.