By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 18: The launching of Wisma Lestari will boost the Sarawak Forestry Corporation’s (SFC) conservation efforts as it will serve as a hub for protecting national parks, wildlife, and nature reserves in the State.
According to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who officiated the new building, it will not only accommodate SFC staff but will also function as a government platform to further preservation efforts of the region’s natural heritage.
“This area will be gazetted as a nature reserve in Kota Sentosa and will serve as a place for research,” he said during a press conference after the officiation ceremony today, as reported by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
One of Wisma Lestari’s highlights is the Sarawak Wildlife Forensic (SWIF) laboratory, located on its ground floor, which will support studies, including research on valuable plant species.
For example, Abang Johari said he was briefed by Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) chief executive officer Tiong Chia Yeo about a plant with leaves valued at 320 USD each.
He said the plant could be cultivated using new methods and is reportedly taken out of the country by tourists as it is highly sought-after worldwide.
“As this is the only treasure of its kind in Sarawak, it is important that we protect it, and SFC will be responsible for safeguarding it and conducting research in collaboration with other agencies on our natural heritage,” he said.
During the ceremony, Abang Johari also witnessed the signing of two memorandum of understanding (MoU)—the first between the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) and SFC for research collaboration and talent development, and the second between SFC and Universiti Malaya to strengthen academic and research partnerships.
Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Sarawak Attorney-General, Dato Sri Saferi Ali; Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Kota Sentosa assemblyman, Wilfred Yap Yau Sin; and SFC general manager, Abang Arabi Abang Aimran, were also present. — DayakDaily
