BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS & NATASHA JEE
KUCHING: Local councils and developers, especially architects and consultants, have been urged to adopt sustainable practices in urban planning, including conserving trees through a circular economy approach.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said trees should not be cut indiscriminately to make way for development but instead relocated or repurposed to maintain a green and healthy environment.
“Trees absorb carbon and release oxygen. If we simply cut them, we lose that natural balance.
“Instead, we can move the trees, replant them in suitable areas or even resell them. This is part of what we call a circular economy,” he said when officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony of the new Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) Office Complex here today.
Abang Johari stressed that keeping the city green was essential to reduce carbon emissions, in line with Sarawak’s vision of building smart and sustainable cities.
He also highlighted the state government’s ongoing RM1.1 billion effort to replace old water pipes across Sarawak, noting that modern infrastructure must integrate digital data to improve efficiency and reliability.
“In Matang, we built a four-lane road using state funds. The road was new and beautiful, but it had to be dug up again because the old underground pipes were leaking.
“This is why we decided to replace all the pipes and include them in a proper data system.
“Like it or not, we have to do it. That is why I told Datuk Seri Julaihi (Minister of Utility and Telecommunication), we should change our pipes. The project will cost RM1.1 billion, but in the long term, it is a service to the people,” he added.
The Premier further pointed out that Sarawak’s rising economic growth is reflected in higher mobility, with more people able to afford vehicles.
“While this has contributed to traffic congestion, it also signifies improving living standards”, he said.
On the policy front, Abang Johari said Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030) provides a clear roadmap that balances economic progress with environmental sustainability.
He added that Sarawak’s green and hydrogen initiatives have gained global recognition, with the state increasingly associated with clean energy innovation.
He shared that he had been invited to deliver an address during the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower 2025 in Paris, France, highlighting the global interest in Sarawak’s hydrogen economy.
“Our policies and standards must align with global benchmarks. That way, we attract investors, create high-paying jobs and ensure our people benefit through better opportunities, including free education for those eligible,” he said.
