KUCHING, 13 September: As Sarawak strives towards becoming a developed state by 2030, the emphasis is now on environmental sustainability to pave the way for more investment flow into the state.
This will co-create solutions, open up more green jobs and business opportunities to drive the economy in a sustainable manner.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said environmental sustainability is listed as the state’s main values with the objectives to prosper the State and the people whilst simultaneously protecting the environment and staying true to its sustainable development goals.
“Sustainable development is always a priority agenda of the State GPS Government.
“And we are committed to strike a balance between the need for development and safeguarding the wellbeing of our people,” he said this in his speech when officiating the Ninth Chief Minister’s Environmental Award (CMEA) here today.
Abang Johari also pointed as part of the state’s commitment towards the matter, the amendment of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance (Amendment) Bill 2019 has enabled a more suitable management of natural resources and environmental protection.
To this, open burning activities on Native Customary Land (NCL) for commercial purposes is now regulated while fines have been increased to RM100,000 for all environmental offences the likes of land pollution, inland water contamination and open burning.
