KUCHING: All local councils must adopt sustainable urban planning, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, while assuring that the state government would approve such plans once submitted.
He said towns must be designed with separate lanes for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, alongside green spaces planted with trees and flowers to absorb carbon and produce cleaner air.
“What we want is for councillors to always have a proper plan.
“If you come up with a plan that has walkways and greenery, we will approve it for the benefit of the people,” he said at the launch of Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) For Sarawak Local Authorities at Pullman Hotel here today.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s pioneering adoption of hydrogen-powered public transport made it a truly sustainable option for urban mobility.
He noted that Kuching had already been recognised internationally as a clean city but emphasised the goal was for all towns, including Sri Aman, Kapit and Limbang, to meet the same standard.
“We want not only Kuching but the whole of Sarawak to meet internationally recognised standards. Councillors must be proactive and adapt to today’s demands.
“We must make it our culture to keep public spaces clean and through volunteer effort, so that diseases can be avoided,” he said.
The Premier said sustainable development and cleaner cities would draw tourists and investors, complementing the state government’s economic agenda.
He noted that the state was now respected internationally for its approach to development, adding that this recognition also called for the introduction of new ideas.
“If the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) comes here, they will say ‘oh, Sarawak really is a model for a developing country’.
“When that happens, there will be productivity, new ideas, and the government will take notice,” he said.
