By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 12: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today symbolically planted the 50 millionth tree at the State-level International Day of Forests celebration, marking a significant milestone that far exceeds the original campaign target of 35 million trees.
The species planted was the belian tree, a highly valued and durable hardwood native to Borneo, and is the official tree of Sarawak.
Amongst those present to witness the historic occasion at Forest Research Center here were Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Natural Resources Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, and Forest Department of Sarawak (FDS) director Datu Hamden Mohammad.
Sarawak launched its “Greening Sarawak” campaign in January 2021, with the aim of planting 35 million trees by 2025 as part of the national Greening Malaysia campaign, which targets the planting of 100 million trees across the country within the same timeframe.
The State-level campaign was officially launched with the planting of the first tree by Abang Johari at Bukit Siol, Kuching.
On June 8, 2024, Sarawak officially surpassed its 35-million-tree target—a year ahead of schedule—with the Premier himself planting the symbolic 35th millionth tree at Sabal Forest Reserve.
In his speech, Abang Johari expressed appreciation to FDS and those involved in providing the belian tree seeds and emphasised the importance of expanding reforestation efforts to include a variety of local species.
“If we can take care of this seed, we can plant many species of our forests—not only belian, but also nyatoh, meranti and others,” he said.
He further highlighted how forest restoration ties into Sarawak’s carbon trading ambitions, especially with the help of advanced forest mapping and digital data collection.
“I was very attracted to your 3D data on our forests. Because in carbon trading, it depends on the capacity of our forests to absorb carbon. Every tree species has different characteristics and absorption capacity,” he explained.
With such technology, he said Sarawak can identify tree types and estimate their individual and collective carbon absorption potential.
“If we have the data, as shown in the 3D models, we can calculate the aggregate carbon absorption capacity of our forests.
“And since carbon prices are determined on the open market based on absorption volume, this gives us the leverage to place a levy or carbon tax on emissions offset by our forests,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hamden in his speech, revealed that Sarawak has so far gazetted a total of 2.1 million hectares as Totally Protected Areas (TPA) under its ongoing conservation and forest restoration agenda, comprising 0.87 million hectares of terrestrial areas and 1.2 million hectares of marine waters.
In addition, a further 318,000 hectares have been approved for initial gazettement.
At the event, Abang Johari also officiated the Forest Resources One Stop Visual Gallery, which was developed under a federal government allocation of RM1.105 million through the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). The gallery will serve as a centre for learning, research and the promotion of forest resource products from Sarawak.
The Premier also witnessed the exchange of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) involving the FDS.
The first MoU, between FDS and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), reflects a joint commitment to conserve and protect Sarawak’s forest heritage through collaboration in research, capacity building, education and biodiversity conservation—ensuring that forest management in the State remains sustainable and beneficial for communities and future generations.
The second MoU, signed between FDS and Sarawak Energy Berhad, marks a strategic partnership focused on forest rehabilitation and the restoration of axed and mined areas, in support of building a greener, healthier and more resilient ecosystem for present and future generations.
— DayakDaily
