KUCHING: Carbon trading linked to Sarawak’s land resources falls under state jurisdiction and will be considered carefully alongside federal climate policy and carbon tax frameworks as the sector develops.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government would continue to protect its rights through provisions available under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as carbon trading emerges as part of the new economy.
He said carbon trading currently remains exclusive to Sarawak and Sabah following earlier discussions on the scope of federal involvement.
“Land is Sarawak’s right, and carbon trading is part of Sarawak’s land resources. If this is taken away, it breaches the agreement and our constitutional rights,” he said at the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Convention at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He also said proposed national climate change legislation should take into account the relationship between forests, emissions regulation and carbon resources located within Sarawak.
“I told Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup to discuss this with the State Legal Advisor because climate change policies are linked to carbon trading,” he said.
Abang Johari explained that trees within Sarawak contribute to oxygen production and the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, forming part of the state’s carbon management resources.
He added that sovereign-to-sovereign carbon arrangements between Malaysia and other countries fall under federal authority, but said Sarawak’s role as the source of carbon resources should be considered in discussions involving carbon tax mechanisms.
He said the state government would continue studying developments in the carbon economy carefully to ensure Sarawak’s interests are safeguarded.
“We must not rush. If we rush, the consequences may be unfavourable later. We must study this carefully first,” he said.
