Strong state institutions key to effective climate action, says Sarawak Premier

KUCHING (March 3): Effective climate governance in Malaysia must recognise the roles and responsibilities of Sabah and Sarawak while ensuring national coherence, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He noted that under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sarawak has significant authority over land, forestry, marine, and natural resources.

“This institutional reality is not a complication. It is a strength, if designed and coordinated properly,” he said in his keynote address at the launch of the Subnational Climate Change Institutional Assessment (CCIA) Report here.

Abang Johari stressed that climate governance is not about asserting jurisdictional lines, but about fostering collaboration between Putrajaya and the state so policies can be effectively translated into action on the ground.

“This is not about drawing boundaries. It is about building bridges so that federal ambition and state implementation reinforce one another.

“Sarawak remains committed to constructive engagement with the federal government and with Sabah in ensuring policy alignment, investment coordination, and shared learning so that climate action benefits Malaysia as a whole,” he said, adding that strong states strengthen the federation, and coordinated governance strengthens national resilience.

Abang Johari said the CCIA report affirms Sarawak’s progress in strengthening its climate governance framework while offering a structured reform roadmap grounded in operational realities.

“One of the strongest messages from the Subnational CCIA is simple but powerful – enduring climate solutions are built on strong institutions.

“Targets alone are not enough. Ambition without institutional clarity leads to fragmentation,” he said.

He emphasised that climate action works only when institutions are equipped to connect the dots, align sectors, coordinate across government levels, and match planning with financing.

“They must operate with clear mandates and firm legal authority. They must monitor progress transparently.

“They must be capable of managing fiscal and environmental risks in an increasingly uncertain climate landscape,” he said.

Abang Johari highlighted Sarawak’s carbon levy framework as an example of institutional climate governance.

Designed within clear legal parameters and aligned with national policies, he said the framework aims to send market signals, guide investment decisions, and accelerate the transition to lower-carbon pathways.

“But for it to work, it must be institutionally sound, supported by clear legal authority, transparent governance, credible monitoring and verification systems, and alignment with national policies.

“This drives home the point that climate action requires coordination across federal, state and local governments,” he said.

Beyond carbon pricing, he noted that Sabah and Sarawak’s forests are not only biodiversity treasures but also globally significant climate assets under state jurisdiction.

Decisions on land use, conservation, enforcement, and revenue carry long-term fiscal and environmental consequences, particularly since states have historically relied on natural resource revenues for development.

“The challenge before us is how to balance fiscal sustainability with environmental stewardship.

“Institutional reform must therefore address how responsibilities, incentives and financing are aligned,” he said.

He added that climate finance, carbon markets, ecological fiscal transfers, and sustainable revenue models must support states protecting nature.

“Otherwise, conservation becomes a financial burden rather than an opportunity.

“Sarawak believes that environmental protection must generate value, not only cost, and that this value must be underpinned by clear, credible, and well-coordinated institutions,” he said.

Looking ahead, Abang Johari described the CCIA as a practical roadmap with actionable recommendations across the short, medium, and long term, grounded in operational realities rather than theory.

“We welcome its findings in a constructive and forward-looking spirit because ultimately, strong institutions provide continuity.

“They ensure that climate action is not dependent on political cycles or personalities, but translated into sustained and measurable progress,” he said.

Also present at the launch were deputy premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, State Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, State Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, and World Bank lead economist for Malaysia Apurva Sanghi.