Park Guide is the eyes and ears of the government protecting Sarawak's treasures

MIRI, 21 September: Park Guide not only has a role to bring tourists but also needs to be the eyes and ears of the government in helping protect Sarawak's natural treasures and native resources.

Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) General Manager, Brother Arabi Brother Aimran said that the role is becoming increasingly important following the rise in cases of recruitment and recent attempts to export Sarawak's native resources by outsiders.

"Let's not assume the task of a Park Guide is to bring tourists alone. They are the eyes and ears of the government in helping to protect Sarawak's treasures.

"The Government of Sarawak needs communities to work together to protect our treasures and native resources so they are not taken out of Sarawak", he said while addressing the Park Guide Training Program Suspension Council at Niah National Park, nearby, today.

Brother Arabi said that some cases detected since 2025 involve foreigners who took in a variety of Sarawak native resources including insects, plants and wildlife species.

He said that in 2025, authorities detained six Russian citizens consisting of scientists and professors in connection with the activities of extracting native resources, besides a few cases involving Chinese nationals.

"In 2026, we've also recorded a number of catches involving individuals taking native resources such as insects, beetles, snails and plant leaves to take out.

"In fact, when these resources fall into the hands of a third party, they can be exploited and sold in international markets", he added.

Local community involvement, he said, is important to help the government detect and prevent activities that could harm Sarawak's indigenous resources.

A total of 20 participants from Niah, Lambir, Kuala Baram and the Miri tourism industry participated in the Park Guide Training Program.

The programme also received a RM120,000 grant from the South Asia Regional Center for Counter Terrorism under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support training and development of participants.

Brother Arabi said the efforts to empower Park Guide are part of SFC's long-term plans in developing community capacity around the national park area, including areas with world heritage values.

"We want to develop people, especially the people who live around national parks. Apart from the Park Guide system, there are several other exercises and programs that we will implement to raise awareness and capacity of the community", he said.

Participants who meet the prescribed requirements are potentially appointed as Honorary Wildlife Ranger under Section 8 of Sarawak's Wildlife Protection Ordinance. - TVS