Sarawak, Sabah deserves to be incentivized for forest cover

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5: Sarawak and Sabah should be given incentives to support forest cover efforts, in line with national commitments to ensure at least 50 percent of the country's land area remains covered by forests.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the two provinces contributed significantly to efforts to achieve the commitments, with about 62 percent of Sarawak's area still covered by forest.

"So far, Sarawak and Sabah have managed to make a significant contribution towards the endeavour", he said.

He told TVS after attending the 83rd National Land Council Meeting in Parliament, today.

Awang Tengah said Sarawak and Sabah's contributions to the country's forest conservation commitments are adequately supported through appropriate incentive grants.

"I ask that Sarawak and Sabah make a very significant contribution to our commitment in relation to these forest coverings, so that Sarawak and Sabah are given incentives, for example in terms of Environmental, Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EEFT)", he said.

He said the move is important to ensure that efforts to preserve forest cover can be continued and enhanced.

Meanwhile, Awang Tengah said Sarawak had successfully planted 67 million trees through Greening Malaysia programme, thus reaching the target earlier than the deadline set.

"The planting of the trees will continue until 2030", he said. - TVS.