KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is upbeat about Miri's potential to return to its former glory following a slew of development programmes rolled out by the state government under his leadership.
Dubbed as Sarawak's 'Oil Town', Miri was previously known as the birthplace of the Malaysian petroleum industry.
"The state government is encouraging the people (interested companies and firms) to invest and explore whatever reserves we have (in Sarawak). This is our policy.
"I used to mention to them that geologically, we feel that the gas reserves is there even perhaps up to the western part of Sarawak.
"However, all of this is subject to exploration, economic feasibility as well as the technology available (to carry out the exploration)," he told reporters after attending an event in Kuching, Sarawak today.
Abang Johari added that he was satisfied with the progress of the development projects in the state as well as the decision by major companies, such as Shell Malaysia, to expand their operations in Sarawak.
"I must say here that Shell is expanding its operations in Sarawak with its headquarters located in Miri. Many of its staffs have transferred to Miri.
"This means that Miri will be back like before.
"And if the company can increase its upstream activities, this means there will be more other (economic) activities that will happen in Sarawak," he said.