KUCHING, Oct 12: Sarawak is in the process of its final draft of the Revised Project Implementation Framework that will steer the implementation of programmes within the Heart of Borneo region until 2030.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, emphasized that this document, a revision of the 2009 Sarawak Heart of Borneo Implementation Framework, serves as an enhanced and complementary version of the previous document.
“Implementing the HoB Initiative should align with the state’s existing policies and development agenda.
“This includes development corridors, digital economy initiative, rural transformation programme and other socioeconomic agenda of the state,” he said in his speech at the launch of Heart of Borneo (HoB) Seminar 2023: Gerenai – Long Mekaba Scientific Expedition here, today.
His speech was read by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif.
“Leveraging the HoB brand allows us to showcase our positive efforts, including community engagement initiatives and sustainable practices like the tagang system and ecotourism, which benefit both the environment and local communities,” he added.
Among the efforts in the revised framework include restoring logged-over areas with high value timber species, planting 100 million trees and incorporating industrial forest plantation of degraded areas.
Awang Tengah, who is also Natural Resources and Urban Development Second Minister, said the HoB landscape in Sarawak contains headwaters for six hydro-electric dams under the SCORE Project.
“Managing these areas sustainably is essential, with the State Government promoting integrated watershed management to balance economic growth, social welfare, and ecosystem sustainability,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Len Talif also said the revised framework also aligns with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“We need to update a lot of our programmes and fundamental approach in engaging with the local community and how they can benefit from the involvement in this programme,” he said. – TVS
