A SUSTAINABLE Sarawak Blueprint will be developed to guide all government agencies, businesses and communities in achieving the state’s desired environmental sustainability goals, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said today.

He said the blueprint will address concerns related to biodiversity conservation, natural resources management and climate change mitigation and adaptation while enabling the creation of an environment with modern infrastructure in line with the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution drive.

“Sarawak plans to priorities its environmental sustainability and align its development path with its sustainable development goals and the state will pursue a balanced economic growth by adopting a responsible approach towards development of its natural resources,” he said at the opening of the inaugural Malaysian Conservation Conference in Kuching.

Abang Johari said Sarawak’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 places environmental sustainability as one of the three main pillars to steer Sarawak towards its 2030 goals.

He said this is to ensure a clean and healthy environment for all by having policies on sustainable forest management as well as adoption of new technologies and innovation to support Malaysia’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity of GDP by 45% in 2030.

He said Sarawak will also develop master plans on developing smart cities that will consider environmental sustainability related to urbanisation, with Kuching Smart City Master Plan being the first that has been developed with low carbon mobility and smart city infrastructure.

While admitting nature, environment and biodiversity as matters that are closed to his heart, he said the state government has been taking steps to ensure that Sarawak’s biodiversity is properly managed and responsible management is critical to support Malaysia’s commitment to keep 50% of the country under forest cover. 

“Today, as the premier of Sarawak, you have my word that Sarawak is committed to the preservation of six million hectares of land as permanent forests and one million hectares as totally protected areas,” he said. – Bernama, March 29, 2022.