Abg Jo: Sarawak Botanical Garden to anchor Kuching’s low-carbon city push

KUCHING (Feb 1): The Sarawak Botanical Garden in Petra Jaya is set to play a key role in positioning Kuching as a low-carbon and smart capital city, with plans underway to enhance its biodiversity and connect major heritage sites, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the development would focus on strengthening the garden’s role as a green urban space while integrating it into the city’s broader sustainability agenda.

He pointed out that the initiative would comprise two main components, namely enriching the botanical garden with local flora and biodiversity, and developing a heritage trail linking the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Cat Museum to Reservoir Park.

“This will provide space for our local community and tourists to enjoy what Sarawak has to offer, and the components will feature plants such as bamboo, banana trees and other tropical plants.

“Hopefully, this will contribute towards the sustainability of a low-carbon city in line with the smart city initiative,” he said, according to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

He said this after officiating the Walk for Health Programme at the Sarawak Botanical Garden in Petra Jaya today.

Abang Johari added that development works are already in progress, with the event today also serving as an opportunity to assess the condition and maintenance of the botanical garden.

He said statutory bodies, including the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre and the Sarawak Forest Department, would be involved in managing and maintaining the garden through an adoption approach.

Earlier, the Premier led a 2.5km brisk walk at the botanical garden with Sarawak civil servants and invited guests. He also received a briefing from DBKU director Ramzi Abdullah on the planned developments, including the heritage connectivity project.

Also present were his daughter Dayang Norjihan, Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol.