KUCHING: Sarawak is tightening environmental accountability across its agriculture, quarrying and mining sectors with the launch and signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA) Pilot Project at Tegas Digital Village yesterday (Feb 25).
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, said the initiative underscores the State’s firm commitment to strong environmental governance and responsible industry practices.
“Today’s launch is more than a ceremonial event. It is a bold step forward,” he said, describing the pilot as a reflection of a trusted partnership between regulators and industry players.
At the core of the initiative, he added, is the principle of self-regulation, which encourages companies to take greater ownership of their environmental responsibilities and to continuously improve their performance.
Under the framework, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) will work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR), the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD), and the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) to ensure effective coordination and policy alignment.
Datuk Len said this whole-of-government approach strengthens cross-sector accountability and helps ensure sustainability initiatives are implemented consistently across Sarawak.
As the State advances under the Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, he noted that sustainability and green growth remain central to Sarawak’s development agenda.
“Our forests, rivers, lands and biodiversity are not only ecological treasures but also vital economic resources,” he said, stressing that environmental health and economic prosperity are closely linked.
He also highlighted Sarawak’s legislative and institutional foundations, including the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance, the establishment of NREB, the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023, and the anticipated transfer of greater autonomy in environmental matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Earlier, Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak, Datuk Jack Liam, described the pilot as a practical platform for industries to prepare for the full implementation of the Natural Resources and Environment (Audit) Rules 2008 and related guidelines.
He said the Environmental Compliance Audit is structured around two audits each year, beginning with an internal audit within the first six months, followed by an independent external audit.
“This ensures compliance is monitored systematically and allows companies to identify and address issues early,” he said.
Under the pilot, NREB will provide guidance and appoint independent external auditors, while participating companies will designate internal auditors, attend relevant training, report audit findings and carry out preventive or corrective actions where required.
Datuk Jack emphasised that the audit process is not about fault-finding, but about partnership, learning and continuous improvement.
“By working together, we can reduce environmental risks, build public trust and safeguard Sarawak’s natural resources,” he said.
