Controversial Growth Corridor
March 2008
The Malaysian Government launched yet another ambitious regional development corridor to catalyse long-term growth, create jobs and raise socio-economic standards in the run-up to the general elections in early March. The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) is the fifth and largest to be launched following the Iskandar Development Region in the south of Peninsular Malaysia, the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the East Coast Economic Region and the Sabah Development Corridor.
SCORE has identified certain high-priority sectors for development, including petroleum, aluminium, aquaculture and marine engineering. A prime attraction for investment is SCORE's ample energy resources, including 20,000 megawatts of hydropower, 1.46 billion metric tonnes of coal deposits and 40.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas deposits. To date, SCORE has reportedly drawn about RM110bn (£17.42bn) in proposed investments, one-third of the Government's target of RM334bn (£52.9bn) required for full development by 2030, including five major deals to produce electricity via hydro-dams and coal-powered generation plants.
Unsurprisingly, a project of this scale has also earned flak from environmentalists, since the hinterland in question is a treasure trove of biodiversity and may be considered tribal ancestral land. SCORE will develop about 70,700 sq km, or 57% of Sarawak, affecting more than 600,000 people. However, the Prime Minister has ordered a 'green development framework' study to ensure that SCORE's development is environmentally friendly and that energy resources will be developed sustainably.
In the long run, will the potential economic payoff compensate for any negative environmental impact? The Government is optimistic that the full implementation of the SCORE master plan by 2030 will raise Sarawak's GDP from the current RM23bn (£3.64bn) to RM118bn (£18.68bn), spur annual GDP growth to 7% from the present 5% and spin off 1.6 million high-value jobs, while eradicating poverty in this resource-rich, yet underperforming, region.
The Malaysian Government launched yet another ambitious regional development corridor to catalyse long-term growth, create jobs and raise socio-economic standards in the run-up to the general elections in early March. The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) is the fifth and largest to be launched following the Iskandar Development Region in the south of Peninsular Malaysia, the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the East Coast Economic Region and the Sabah Development Corridor.
SCORE has identified certain high-priority sectors for development, including petroleum, aluminium, aquaculture and marine engineering. A prime attraction for investment is SCORE's ample energy resources, including 20,000 megawatts of hydropower, 1.46 billion metric tonnes of coal deposits and 40.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas deposits. To date, SCORE has reportedly drawn about RM110bn (£17.42bn) in proposed investments, one-third of the Government's target of RM334bn (£52.9bn) required for full development by 2030, including five major deals to produce electricity via hydro-dams and coal-powered generation plants.
Unsurprisingly, a project of this scale has also earned flak from environmentalists, since the hinterland in question is a treasure trove of biodiversity and may be considered tribal ancestral land. SCORE will develop about 70,700 sq km, or 57% of Sarawak, affecting more than 600,000 people. However, the Prime Minister has ordered a 'green development framework' study to ensure that SCORE's development is environmentally friendly and that energy resources will be developed sustainably.
In the long run, will the potential economic payoff compensate for any negative environmental impact? The Government is optimistic that the full implementation of the SCORE master plan by 2030 will raise Sarawak's GDP from the current RM23bn (£3.64bn) to RM118bn (£18.68bn), spur annual GDP growth to 7% from the present 5% and spin off 1.6 million high-value jobs, while eradicating poverty in this resource-rich, yet underperforming, region.
posted by Toyers at
7:33 PM
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