DISEMBER 2025
Water Poised To Become Next Industrial Commodity - Premier
BANGKOK, 9 December 2025 - Water is set to become the next high-value industrial commodity as global demand for data centres, artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging green technologies continues to rise.
Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg said, water will soon play a role equivalent to energy in powering modern industries.
“Water is more than a resource, it is a new commodity at the heart of Sarawak’s journey towards a resilient and sustainable future,” he said when delivering his keynote plenary titled “Water: Driving Sarawak’s Resilient and Sustainable Future” at the IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, here, on Tuesday.
Abang Johari noted that industries worldwide are increasingly dependent on water-based cooling systems to support high-density data processing and AI infrastructure.
This shift, he said, will elevate water’s value and transform it into a crucial component of industrial energy.
“People are going for new technologies through data centres, and these technologies need cooling systems for water. Because of that demand, the price of water will rise as part of industrial energy,” he said.
He projected that within the next five to 10 years, water will emerge as a key element in global industrial transformation.
The Premier emphasised that water does not only sustain communities, but also serves as a backbone of Sarawak’s green energy ambitions, from hydropower generation to future hydrogen production.
“Every step we take towards building a sustainable energy future relies on the prudent management and availability of this vital resource,” he added.
Abang Johari’s remarks come as Sarawak advances its Water Supply Master Plan and invests in large-scale infrastructure to ensure long-term water security, economic resilience and sustainable development.
Also present, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Thailand Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, Executive Director IWA Dr Kala Vairavamoorthy, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (Telecommunication) Datuk Liwan Lagang.