KUCHING: The algae cultivation project in Gedong will be expanded from 100 hectares to approximately 1,000 hectares as part of efforts to further develop the cultivation into commercial farming.

Advisor to the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais, said the Sarawak Government has currently begun algae cultivation on 100 hectares in Gedong through Japanese company Chitose Group.

He added that once ongoing road projects in the Gedong area are completed, algae could be planted on new land required for the development of the farm.

"We need to find suitable land areas for the development of this algae farm.

"I believe that once the road to this area is completed, algae can be planted in your area later, on the native customary land of the respective residents in the future," he said.

He said this when speaking at the Gawai Dayak Ngiling Bidai Ceremony for Gedong District, officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, at Kampung Keniong Jaya, here, on Monday.

He said the algae cultivation would enable residents to earn substantial income, particularly given the various commercial potentials that could see the algae processed into pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, as well as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

He added that the Sarawak Premier had previously tested the use of algae-based aviation fuel for a flight from Kuching to Langkawi.

Dato Sri Naroden expressed confidence that fuel for aircraft and vehicles would no longer depend on crude oil, and could instead be produced through algae cultivation in the future.

"This is the new economy currently being implemented by the Sarawak Government under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari," he stressed. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photo: Natalie Cherinie Johnny
Translator: Uilson Ng