By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 14: Sarawak is targeting to commence carbon trading next year with Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg plans to visit London’s Verra to gain better understanding of the international protocol if the Federal government is too slow to update the country’s legislation pertaining to carbon trading.
With Sarawak has now embarked on carbon trading, Abang Johari emphasised that it is crucial for the Federal government to expedite the amendment process and update Malaysia’s legislation in accordance with international protocol and placing carbon as a trade commodity.
“Without a comprehensive legislative framework aligning with international protocol, it will hinder Sarawak’s production and trading of carbon.
“Therefore, I have urged and requested the Federal government to promptly update the national legislation by incorporating carbon as a commodity under Dato Sri Fadilllah Yusof’s Plantation and Commodity Ministry,” he said when officiating BDA’s 45th anniversary celebration dinner at a hotel in Bintulu which was streamed live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) tonight.
If Putrajaya fails to act promptly, Abang Johari said he will go straight to London’s Verra to gather information pertaining to international protocol for carbon trading.
“But of course, we must inform the Federal government first,” he said.
Apart from hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Abang Johari pointed out that carbon trading will also become a new and valuable income earner for Bintulu.
“Developing Bintulu beyond 2030, we want Bintulu to be an integral part of the green economy hub. This is the future of Bintulu and Sarawak,” he said.
The achievements made by Sarawak, he added, have been widely recognised with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledging that Sarawak is often ahead and more advanced than Peninsular Malaysia.
“This is the result of the leadership in Sarawak,” he stressed.
Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and BDA general manager Datu Muhamad Yakup Kari were among those present.
Verra, which sets the world’s leading standards for climate action and sustainable development, is now managing the world’s leading voluntary carbon markets programme. — DayakDaily
