Sarawak’s mangroves make history with Malaysia’s first Blue Carbon licence

Len (centre) poses with Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Islam Kuala Rajang representatives during the issuing of Forest Carbon Licence at Meeting Room, Lvl 2 DUN Complex on Oct 15, 2026.

By Christine T

KUCHING, Oct 15: Sarawak has issued Malaysia’s first Forest Carbon Licence for a blue carbon project, covering 4,788.2 hectares of mangrove forest in Tanjung Manis, Kuala Rajang, in a milestone for the State’s push to turn its natural ecosystems into assets for climate change mitigation and green economic development.

The licence was issued to Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Islam Kuala Rajang (LAKIKR), recognising the potential of mangrove ecosystems to support carbon sequestration, conserve coastal biodiversity and promote sustainable resource management.

Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh highlighted the scale of the Rajang Delta mangrove forest, which he said is larger than those in Kinabatangan, Sabah, and Matang, Perak.

The Sarawak government also issued a Forest Carbon Licence to Shin Yang Sdn Bhd for the 26,353-hectare Jalin Forest Carbon Area in Ulu Baram, focusing on improved forest management and the conservation of inland forest resources.

“Finally, after a long and tedious work that we have undertaken for the last few years,” Len said at the presentation ceremony for both licences at the DUN Complex here today.

“This is to strengthen our forest conservation, sustainable forest management, and green economic development.”

The two projects cover distinct forest ecosystems; the mangrove forests of the Rajang Delta and the inland forests of Ulu Baram, reflecting the State’s efforts to develop forest carbon initiatives across different landscapes.

The initiatives also support Sarawak’s green economy agenda under the 2027 Sarawak Budget and the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

Len said forest carbon projects could provide additional incentives for forest conservation and restoration, protect biodiversity and ecosystem services, attract green investment and create economic opportunities for local communities.

However, he stressed that obtaining a Forest Carbon Licence did not automatically qualify a project for carbon credit issuance or trading.

“Project must fulfil the relevant carbon standard requirement, including validation and verification by the recognized validation and verification body before carbon credit can be issued,” he added. – DayakDaily