Petra jaya: The submarine cable project connecting Sarawak and Johor is pending approval from the Indonesian government for a seabed survey to determine the final route of the project. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof highlighted the necessity of Indonesian consent as 60 to 70 percent of the proposed cable route traverses Indonesian waters.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah emphasized the importance of obtaining the necessary approval from Indonesia to proceed with the survey. A formal request has been submitted to the relevant authorities, and upon receiving the green light, the involved parties will initiate the seabed survey to finalize the cable's route.

The Sarawak-Johor undersea cable project is part of a broader initiative to improve telecommunications connectivity and high-capacity internet links between Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia. Fadillah, who also serves as the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, discussed the ASEAN Power Grid's progress. He mentioned that efforts to align technical standards and requirements for the grid's implementation are being coordinated by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) in Jakarta.

A significant challenge for the ASEAN Power Grid is the disparity in grid infrastructure readiness among ASEAN member countries. Fadillah noted that some nations need to upgrade their current systems to participate effectively in the regional power network.