He said REEs represent a significant resource with substantial potential to drive Sarawak’s economic development and should, therefore, be retained for local value-added development.

“REEs are highly valuable strategic components. This is precisely why we see China refusing to export its REE resources.

“Here, in Sarawak, we possess these resources, but we will not export them as they are crucial for developing local technology products,” Bernama quoted him as saying at the state-level National Environment Day celebration in Sematan, Sarawak.

Abang Johari had also said last December the state was in no hurry to mine REEs as it was focused on its other mineral deposits.

The minerals and geoscience department previously listed Sarawak among 10 states identified as potentially holding non-radioactive REE deposits, with a total estimated value reaching RM809.6 billion.

Abang Johari also said the state would table a bill on waste management at the next assembly meeting in December that, among others, aimed to enable waste to be recycled into economic resources.

“We need to manage waste properly. Currently, Sarawak lacks specific laws that empower us to collect waste systematically. This waste actually has potential to be converted into a source of revenue,” he said.