By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 22: Sarawak is set to independently manage critical environmental responsibilities, beginning with scheduled waste management in 2025, marking a significant step in its pursuit of greater autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the transition follows the enactment of the Natural Resources and Environment Bill, 2024, passed during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting last November.
“This ordinance enables Sarawak’s Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) to assume environmental responsibilities from the Federal Department of Environment (DOE), starting with scheduled waste management in 2025.
“We are now taking that authority back to Sarawak,” he said during the 11th Premier of Sarawak Environmental Award (PSEA) 2023/2024 held at Imperial Hotel here earlier tonight.
Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak’s Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) and Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty), further stated that the shift in governance would grant the State the authority to craft and implement environmental policies tailored to its unique needs and challenges.
“To ensure the effective implementation of these responsibilities, the Sarawak government is committed to providing the NREB with the necessary resources, capacity-building support, and advanced tools to carry out these critical tasks with excellence.
“I urge NREB to innovate, uphold global standards, and drive a green economy to position Sarawak as a leader in sustainability and climate action,” he added.
He also urged businesses, industries, and communities to adopt sustainable practices and collaborate with the government.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (MFICORD) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak, Datu Jack Liam; and Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) secretary-general Dato Jonathan Chai Voon Tok. — DayakDaily
