MIRI: Sarawak is positioning its vast forest reserves as a key driver of the state’s future green economy through carbon trading, eco-tourism and sustainable industries, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said forests could no longer be viewed solely as timber resources but as strategic economic assets linked to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and renewable industries.
“Forests are increasingly recognised as critical economic assets that contribute directly to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy development and sustainable livelihoods,” he said when launching at the state-level International Day of Forests celebration here.
He said global investors were placing growing emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, making sustainable forest management increasingly important in attracting green investment.
Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, said Sarawak’s forests also held strong potential in carbon sequestration and participation in global carbon markets through conservation and reforestation initiatives.
“Through sustainable forest management, conservation and reforestation efforts, Sarawak has strong potential to participate in global carbon markets while contributing to climate action and attracting green investment,” he said.
He said more than 62 per cent of Sarawak’s 14.2 million hectares of land remained under forest cover, reflecting the state’s long-term commitment to sustainable forest management.
The state, he added, aims to maintain at least six million hectares as Permanent Forest Estate and one million hectares as Totally Protected Areas.
Awang Tengah said Sarawak had intensified forest certification, legal enforcement and technology-driven monitoring to curb illegal logging, while expanding reforestation and industrial forest plantation programmes to reduce pressure on natural forests.
He revealed that Sarawak had planted 57 million trees, surpassing the national target set last year.
The Deputy Premier said the forestry sector also played a major role in Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, particularly in advancing low-carbon growth and environmental sustainability.
He highlighted opportunities in downstream timber industries, including furniture manufacturing, engineered wood products and modern construction materials.
Awang Tengah also stressed the growing economic potential of non-timber forest products and eco-tourism, particularly for rural communities.
He said UNESCO-recognised destinations such as Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park, alongside Sarawak’s emerging geopark initiatives, could create more opportunities for homestays, guiding services, handicrafts and cultural tourism.
At the same time, he urged greater public cooperation in preventing illegal logging and forest fires, warning that prolonged dry weather and uncontrolled open burning could threaten forest reserves and water catchment areas.
“We do not reject development, but development must be carried out responsibly and sustainably,” he said.
Also present were Minister for Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development II (Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Baram MP Datuk Anyie Ngau, Sarawak director of Forests, DatuK Hamden Mohammad and Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Controller of Environmental Quality, Datuk Jack Liam
