Deputy Premier: Energy aspirations not just a pipe dream, state has what is needed to realise aim

KUCHING (Aug 28): The monikers ‘Sarawak Asean Battery’ and ‘Sarawak Green Energy Hub’ are not mere rhetoric or fantasy as Sarawak has the necessary resources and is actively working towards realising these visions, said Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

The Deputy Premier said by strategically investing in sustainable forest management and a diversified renewable energy portfolio, including hydropower, solar, biomass, biofuel and hydrogen, Sarawak is building a resilient and low-carbon future as a leader in environmental stewardship.

“Our unwavering commitment to sustainability is clearly reflected in our comprehensive Green Economy Initiatives,” he said when officiating the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Forest Landscape Restoration 2024 here yesterday, representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Themed ‘Forests as Climate Champions: Harnessing Restoration for Global Resilience’ the conference is jointly organised by the Sarawak Forest Department and the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).

Awang Tengah, also Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, said Sarawak is at the forefront of Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

He pointed out the state’s pioneering efforts in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and exploration of cutting-edge carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies underscore its commitment to both environmental leadership and economic transformation by embracing these innovative solutions.

“Sarawak is not only mitigating climate change impacts but also creating new industries and high-quality jobs. Our actions demonstrate that a sustainable future is not only achievable but also economically beneficial,” he said.

He also said that under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, Sarawak’s forestry sector aspires to be globally recognised in sustainable management of tropical forest and biodiversity conservation, while enhancing the rapid growth of timber industry.

Elaborating further, he said the Sarawak government amended the Land Code and Forests Ordinance to enable carbon activities and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) initiatives in 2022, and a year later approved the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill 2023 – the first of such law in the country – to further strengthen environmental sustainability.

“Our initiatives are driving a strong commitment to cultivating a green economy and positioning us to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“This ambitious goal is not only aligned with Malaysia’s national aspirations but also positions Sarawak as a regional leader in sustainable practices. By fostering a conducive environment for businesses and innovation, we are demonstrating that environmental stewardship and economic prosperity are mutually reinforcing,” he said.

Earlier, Sarawak Forest Department director Datu Hamden Mohammad said the three-day conference from Aug 27 to 29 aims to identify and reinforce good practices of forest landscape restoration that deliver short-, medium- and long-term benefits to local communities, fulfilling international commitments on forests, and help manage forests to ensure healthy forest landscapes.

The conference will see 18 papers covering a wide range of disciplines presented by experts and stakeholders from Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, China, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, the Netherlands and other countries.

Hamden also said the forest landscape restoration, or FLR, has been a cornerstone of Sarawak’s environmental agenda since March 2019.

“Sarawak has a long history of collaboration with international organisations in the pursuit of sustainable forest management. We have partnered with Food and Agriculture Organisation , United Nations Development Programme, the Global Environment Facility, ITTO, the German Agency for Technical Cooperation, and others.

“These collaborations have been instrumental in shaping our approach to forest landscape restoration,” he added.

Also present at the event were Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh and the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi.