By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, March 29: Sarawak will develop a Sustainable Sarawak Blueprint to guide the State in achieving its desired environmental sustainability goals.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the blueprint would address concerns related to biodiversity conservation and natural resources management as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation.
He said that based on the 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, it has confirmed that various species and ecosystems worldwide are in rapid decline, and 25 per cent of flora and fauna are facing extinction.
“This, to me, is a wake-up call for every one of us to ensure that we must take care of our environment for our current and future generations.
“Thus, in the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, environmental sustainability is included as one of the three main pillars which correspond with the State’s vision, strategies, initiatives, projects and policies that will steer Sarawak towards its 2030 goals in ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all by having policies in sustainable forest management as well as the adoption of new technologies and innovation to support Malaysia’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) intensity of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 45 per cent in 2030,” he said when launching the Malaysian Conservation Conference (MCC) 2022 held at Imperial Hotel in Kuching today.
Abang Johari, who is also the Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development and Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, further said that the upcoming blueprint would concurrently create an enabling environment with modern infrastructure in tandem with the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).
He stated that Sarawak would also develop master plans for developing smart cities that consider environmental sustainability related to urbanisation.
“In fact, a Kuching Smart City Master Plan has already been developed with low carbon mobility and smart city infrastructure being considered for the capital city,” he added.
The Premier also assured that the State government is committed to preserving six million hectares of land as permanent forests and one million hectares as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs).
Following that, he hoped that through the MCC, all parties involved would be able to assist the State government in coming up with policies and approaches that integrate biodiversity conservation, socio-economic development, and communities in a practical manner.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer (CEO) Zolkipli Mohamad Aton, Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia director-general Dato Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Sabah Wildlife Department’s Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre manager Sylvia Alsisto, and The Sabah Parks’ principal assistant director (Management and Operation Division) Maipol Spait. — DayakDaily
