Sarawak boosts forest protection with drones, satellite monitoring and data analytics

KUCHING (Dec 12): Sarawak is ramping up its forest enforcement framework through more strategic, integrated and technology-driven methods to address increasingly complex forestry crimes, said Sarawak Forest Department director Datu Hamden Mohamad.

He said conventional approaches are no longer sufficient, as the nature of forestry offences has evolved significantly over the past decade.

“The world is changing rapidly, and the enforcement challenges of today are not the same as those of a decade ago.

“Meaning, our methods must also change,” he said when officiating at the Forest Protection and Enforcement Awareness Seminar at The Waterfront Hotel here on Thursday.

Hamden said enforcement officers must progressively shift from relying solely on physical patrols to incorporating technology, data analytics and intelligence-led operations.

These enhancements include the use of drones and satellite imagery for wide-area monitoring, Geographic Information Systems (Gis), digital mapping, data analysis and crime intelligence, real-time detection systems, as well as smart cameras and forest forensics technology.

“Technology does not replace human roles — it enhances the officer’s ability to act faster, more accurately, and more safely,” he stressed.

At the same event, the Sarawak Forest Department and the Enforcement Leadership Management University (Elmu) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen the capacity of enforcement officers statewide and bolster forest protection.

Hamden said the collaboration will allow officers to undergo training and further studies at Elmu.

“We will also look into establishing a training scheme for the university to assist enforcement personnel, not only in Sarawak but also throughout Malaysia,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony.

He added that continuous upskilling is essential as officers must keep pace with current legislation, new enforcement techniques and evolving technologies to safeguard the state’s forest heritage.

The seminar brought together enforcement representatives from Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia to share insights and discuss strategies to enhance forest protection efforts.

Participants included representatives from Elmu, the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources (MUDeNR), the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department (JPSM), state forestry departments from Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Kelantan and Johor, Sabah Forestry Department (SFD), Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Police, General Operations Force (PGA), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB), Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), as well as Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).