GEDONG, May 20 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg could not hide his trepidation today as he announced that he will be flying from Kuching to Langkawi in Kedah next Monday on board a chartered aircraft using algae as fuel.

The state leader who has been pushing Sarawak to go green is also keen to lead by example and is taking the chance to do so in the flight to the Langkawi International and Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2023.

"The fact is that on Monday we will fly to Langkawi for the opening ceremony of the LIMA 2023 on the chartered aircraft that will be using SAF produced in Sarawak,” Abang Johari said at the ground-breaking ceremony here for the upgrading of the existing plantation road from Gedong to Kampung Semalatong, Ulu Simunjan.

"My wife asked me if the aviation fuel has been tested for its reliability. Let’s pray to God,” he added.

SAF stands for sustainable aviation fuel, and the one that will be powering the Langkawi trip is produced by Sarawak’s first industrial microalgae carbon capture facility in Sejingkat, near Kuching.

Abang Johari said the microalgae facility in Sejingkat is producing SAF on a small scale at the moment. "What is important is that the fuel is produced in Sarawak, in collaboration with Japan,” he said.

On the upgrading of the Gedong-Kampung Semalatong road, he said it will give benefits to the farmers and landowners as the road is passing through an agriculture area. Earlier in his speech,

Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah said the upgrading of the 26km Gedong-Kampung Selamatong road is expected to be completed within 36 months.

Uggah, who is also the state minister of infrastructure and port development, said the state government has allocated RM250 million for the upgrading work, which includes the construction of two bridges.