KUCHING, June 7 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said the state government wants to work together with Putrajaya to update federal laws governing the green economy.

He said there must be governance on managing the green economy within the legal framework. "That means any legislation must come from the federal government because Sarawak is only a state,” he told reporters after opening the Green Energy Symposium and Exhibition 2023 organised by the Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak here.

Abang Johari said that at the recent unity convention in Kuala Lumpur, he had stressed for Malaysia to move forward towards the new economy so it can compete internationally.

The premier said the state government, on its part, will re-look at ordinances that need to be upgraded.

He said he has asked the state Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications and the state Attorney-General’s Chambers to study ordinances that needed to be upgraded. The premier said he would like to see the federal government come with updated legislations, especially on the green economy.

Abang Johari said he had held talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to update the legislation in terms of carbon trading as carbon has now become a commodity in international trade.

"We should have legislation on how we manage the green economy and I have requested the federal government to come with the legislation within the framework on how we manage our economy,” he said.

He added it is up to the federal government to make the decision.

"The prime minister only said Sarawak was too advanced in green economy. That means Sarawak must work together with the federal government,” Abang Johari told reporters when asked Anwar’s response during the talks.

Earlier, the premier launched the first solar-powered 5G tower in South-east Asia here.

The combined solar testbed built on the rooftop and at the ground have a total installed capacity of 425kwp, 780 of solar panels, which is the biggest rooftop solar system in Sarawak.

The solar testbed is integrated with a battery storage system to simulate on-off grid operation.