Mentarang hydroelectric project signifies good Indonesia-Malaysia cooperation -- Jokowi

Kualalumpur: Here is the text of news released by official news agency Bernama on its website:

Malaysia's participation in the hydroelectric power station project in North Kalimantan is a sign of good cooperation between the two countries, said Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The President, better known as Jokowi, also expressed his happiness with the development and believes that the project worth US$2.6 billion can contribute to the well-being of his people.

"Today I am very happy because the Mentarang hydroelectric power station project has started," he said at the groundbreaking ceremony in Malinau, which was also attended by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

"And, I am even happier that this was done by the Indonesian-Malaysian consortium, showing that we as allied partners can really work together well," he said.

The Mentarang hydroelectric project will generate 1,375 megawatts of electricity for the North Kalimantan industrial zone. Construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024, and be completed by the end of 2029.

The construction involves an Indonesian investment holding company, PT Kayan Hydropower Nusantara, and the main energy supplier company owned by the Sarawak government, Sarawak Energy Bhd.

According to the president’s secretariat office, Jokowi also inspected the 13,000-hectare Kalimantan Industrial Park (KKIP) in Bulungan, which mainly produces electric batteries, petrochemicals and aluminum.

"The electricity from the Mentarang hydro project will be channeled to KKIP," said Jokowi.