KUCHING, April 5: Malaysia needs to urgently establish an internationally recognised carbon trading law to facilitate such endeavours and for Sarawak’s carbon activities to take flight.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised Sarawak’s readiness to embark on carbon trading initiatives following the passage of the Environmental Legislation (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction) Bill 2023, positioning Sarawak as the pioneer State in the country to enact such legislation.
“We are guided by the World Bank, which neccesitates that our approach must incorporate an internationally accepted framework for managing carbon trading, including securing international recognition.
“The World Bank requires approval from the Federal government to allow us (Sarawak) to engage in carbon trading activities,” he said in a news report by TVS.
He highlighted this when speaking at the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) Anti-Corruption Management System Certificate presentation ceremony at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
Abang Johari, who is also the Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, revealed that Singapore eagerly awaits Sarawak’s implementation of income-generating carbon trading.
“I have discussed this matter with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar (Ibrahim) and Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli during the National Energy Council meeting in Putrajaya on April 2,” he added.
He affirmed that Sarawak would have no issues in complying with international standards once established in Malaysia.
Abang Johari disclosed that during the National Financial Council Meeting 2024 on Thursday, the Federal government sought a two-week period for adaptation to Sarawak’s legislative formula.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, and Recoda chief executive officer Datu Ismawi Ismuni were among those present. — DayakDaily
