By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 8: Sarawak is looking to turn its extensive mangrove areas into a new revenue stream through carbon trading, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg directing a study into their potential as part of Sarikei’s development beyond 2030.
Abang Johari said Sarawak had a unique advantage in its extensive mangrove areas, including the Rajang Mangrove National Park in Sarikei, which could play an important role in carbon storage.
“Imagine how much it can store. People from outside who emit carbon can buy (carbon credits), and we then store the carbon in our mangrove areas,” he said during the Sarawakku Sayang programme for Sarikei Division today, broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
Abang Johari said he had instructed Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment and Kuala Rajang assemblyman Datuk Len Talif Salleh to study the potential of the mangrove areas to generate revenue for Sarawak.
“I have told Len to conduct a study. This can become revenue for the State, and of course, the revenue can be channelled towards the development we have planned for Sarikei,” he said.
He also said the opportunity formed part of Sarawak’s economic planning for 2030 and beyond, as the State sought to develop new sources of income from its natural assets.
He said the carbon economy would also create demand for Sarawakians with specialised knowledge and skills to accurately measure and assess carbon storage.
“This is beyond 2030. It requires our children to be knowledgeable and able to assess how we measure carbon. It is not something we do by weighing it. There are methods for this, and our Sarawakian children must know them,” he added.
During a press conference after the programme, Abang Johari said Sarawak had a much larger expanse of mangrove areas compared with other parts of Malaysia, with Perak having some mangrove areas in Peninsular Malaysia.
He said the State would protect its mangrove areas as it pursued opportunities in the emerging carbon economy.
On other development plans for Sarikei, Abang Johari said tourism would be one of the key areas of focus, particularly around Belawai and Tanjung Manis.
He said Tanjung Manis Airport would be extended to allow ATR aircraft to land, improving connectivity and supporting tourism development in the area.
He said Sarawak also planned to develop golf facilities and accommodation to attract tourists, particularly from Japan and South Korea.
Abang Johari said the tourism industry could create spillover economic activity for other parts of Sarikei Division, including Julau, where visitors could explore local attractions.
“What will happen later is that the tourism industry we are focusing on will spill over to other areas in Sarikei Division. They may want to see the interior areas, for example in Julau, where they can visit the unique attractions there,” he said.
He said these initiatives would generate additional economic activity for Sarikei alongside existing sectors such as agriculture and fruit production.
He said strategic infrastructure already developed in the area would also help support these economic activities, including improved road and bridge connectivity linking Sarikei with its hinterland, Tanjung Manis and parts of Daro.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment and Kuala Rajang assemblyman Datuk Len Talif Salleh; and Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia and Sarikei MP Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii. — DayakDaily
