KUCHING, May 27: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has been selected as the primary local council responsible for the development and implementation of the Green City Action Plan (GCAP) for Kuching City, along with Langkawi, Penang Island and Kota Bharu.
Situated in the periphery of Kuching city which has experienced a rapid growth rate, Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said MPP faces various environmental challenges such as infrastructure damage, waste management and flooding.
“The formulation of the GCAP is crucial in helping MPP minimise harmful effects of human activity on the environment, while preserving the natural environment and its resources.
“It also serves as a guide for both council and authorities to take appropriate green actions aimed at enhancing the quality of life of people,” he said in his speech when launching the GCAP Capacity Building Workshop for MPP at a hotel here yesterday (May 26).
The GCAP is an initiative of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Its purpose is to aid cities in embracing green infrastructure as well as building climate change resilience, promoting resource efficiency and ensuring participatory planning.
The GCAP encompasses a comprehensive assessment of urban issues, climate change vulnerability, and climate change impacts on selected urban sectors.
Emphasising the Sarawak government’s commitment to transform the region into a sustainable green city, Dr Sim stressed the need for MPP to align its planning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) as part of its Key Performance Index (KPI) by 2030.
“The Sarawak government is implementing various measures under PCDS 2030 to stimulate the economy, increase our productivity and to be competitive in the global market. We are intensifying the implementation of infrastructure projects to ensure better connectivity, facilitate trade and investment as well as enhancing the domestic economy.
“This is very critical for us to advance further on our new economic initiatives to create more businesses and high paying jobs to increase the income of our people. More importantly, it will be inclusive and sustainable,” he added.
Dr Sim thus urged MPP, under the leadership of its new chairman Tan Kai, to work closely and collaborate with the appointed consultants, Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Sarawak, and the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, in formulating the GCAP.
“We will give full support for the implementation of our GCAP. By decarbonising our cities, towns, and industries, we will unlock new markets, investment opportunities, and create green jobs,” he concluded.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni was present. — DayakDaily
