14 firms join Sarawak environmental audit pilot

KUCHING (Feb 26): Fourteen companies from the agriculture, quarrying and mining sectors signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) yesterday to participate in the Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA) Pilot Project.

The launch and signing ceremony, held at Tegas Digital Village here, marked a significant step towards strengthening environmental governance in Sarawak, and was officiated by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh.

In his address, Len Talif said the initiative was more than a ceremonial event, demonstrating Sarawak’s firm commitment to environmental accountability and trusted partnerships between regulators and industry players.

“At the heart of this initiative is the principle of self-regulation. It encourages industries to take greater ownership of their environmental responsibilities, strengthen compliance practices and continuously improve their environmental performance,” he said.

He stressed that development and environmental protection must go hand in hand as Sarawak continues to diversify its economy, ensuring rivers, forests and land are safeguarded while prosperity is shared.

Following the MoU signing, Len Talif said NREB would work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, and the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, as the participating sectors fall under their respective purview.

The collaboration reflects a whole-of-government commitment to strengthening compliance and cross-sector accountability, he added.

He also reaffirmed the Gabungan Parti Sarawak-led government’s commitment, under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, to policies that enable responsible growth and environmental sustainability.

Through the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, sustainability and green growth have been placed at the core of the state’s development agenda, positioning Sarawak as a leader in future-ready development.

Len Talif further highlighted Sarawak’s strong legal and institutional foundation for environmental management, including the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance (Chapter 84), the establishment of NREB, the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023, and the upcoming transfer of autonomy in environmental matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Meanwhile, NREB controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak Datu Jack Liam said the ECA Pilot Project provides a practical platform for industries to prepare for the full implementation of the Natural Resources and Environment (Audit) Rules 2008 and guidelines.

“The audit comprises two stages each year — an internal audit within the first six months, followed by an independent external audit — to ensure systemic monitoring and early issue resolution,” he said.

NREB will provide guidance and appoint independent external auditors, while participating companies will appoint internal auditors, attend relevant training, report audit findings and implement preventive or corrective measures.

Jack added that lessons from the forestry sector pilot launched in November 2017, which involved 15 companies, laid a strong foundation for expanding the initiative to other sectors.

As of this year, 305 auditors — 76 external and 229 internal — are registered with NREB.

The participating companies are Grand Mutual Sdn Bhd, Palmcol Oil Palm Plantation, Ta Ann Pelita Durin Plantation Sdn Bhd, Eastern Eden Sdn Bhd, Linau Mewah Sdn Bhd, Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation Sdn Bhd, Kumpulan Kris Jati Sdn Bhd, Salcra Kedup I Oil Palm Estate, Timrest Sdn Bhd, PJP Pelita Biawak Plantation Sdn Bhd, Nescaya Palma Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Plantation Berhad (Peninjau Estate), Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd, and Hollystone Quarry Sdn Bhd.