(From third left) Morshidi, Abang Johari, Najib, Awang Tengah and Aziz join the consortium officials for a photo-call.

BEIJING: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg arrived here yesterday to join Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to witness the exchange of memorandum of understanding (MoU) instruments between Yayasan Hartanah Bumiputera Sarawak (YHBS) and a consortium between China Huanqiu Engineering, Co Ltd, Contracting and Engineering Co Ltd (HQC) and MACfeam Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Pegasus Diversified Bhd.

The MoU was for the procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) of a methanol plant and methanol derivatives plant in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu.

It was one of the nine agreements exchanged yesterday to coincide with the official visit of the Prime Minister, who is in the Chinese capital to take part in the Road and Belt Forum.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani.

The proposed complex, which would be a Sarawak wholly-owned entity, will be built at an 88-hectare site in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu.

The proposed plant, estimated to cost RM800 million, is expected to be completed by 2021.

The project is part of an overall long-term plan to extend the oil and gas downstream value-chain in order to transform Bintulu into a petrochemical hub in the country.

The plant would have a capacity of producing up to 5,000 metric tonnes methanol per day.

The entire project costing over US$2 billion, which is to comprise three plants, would be developed in two phases.

The other proposed plants are expected to be completed between seven and 20 year’s time.

Representing YHBS was its chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Hussain, while HQC was represented by its executive vice president Zhang Laiyong.