By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 9: Rising land prices and increasing environmental pressure require wise and far-sighted land management to ensure sustainable urban development, says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said rapid urbanisation is placing growing pressure on land management systems, particularly in urban and suburban areas.
He added that increasing demand for housing, public facilities and commercial areas has contributed to higher land prices, while also placing added strain on the environment.
“In this context, systematic, integrated and sustainability-based land-use planning is very important.
“We cannot develop cities without considering the well-being of the people, safety, comfort and environmental sustainability,” he said when speaking at the Land and Survey (LANDAS) Summit 2026 today, which was broadcast live on the Sarawak Public Communication Unit’s (UKAS) YouTube channel.
Abang Johari further said smart cities can only be achieved through wise and forward-looking land management.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua; Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi; Bintulu Division Resident Datu Nyurak Keti; Sarawak Land and Survey Department director Datu Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood; and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) vice chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim. — DayakDaily
