BINTULU: Over 150 officers from the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak gathered here last week to review the board’s performance and set strategic priorities for the coming year.
The Senior Officers’ Retreat (SOR), held from Dec 7 to 10 at Imperial Hotel under the theme “Revisit, Rethink, Recharge,” provided a platform to assess 2025 achievements, update operational guidelines, and strengthen collaboration across divisions.
NREB’s Controller of Environmental Quality, Datuk Jack Liam, opened the retreat, emphasising the need for continuous improvement and foresight in meeting future environmental challenges.
“We must revisit our experiences, rethink our approaches, and recharge our commitment to excellence.
“The year ahead will demand stronger collaboration, innovation and accountability to uphold the environmental stewardship expected of us,” he said.
Participants were briefed on updated SOPs, including the Star Rating Assessment Framework for EIA Consultants, Revised EIA Report Evaluation Framework, and Revised Post-EIA Monitoring Guidelines for EMR Submission, all taking effect Jan 1 next year.
The retreat also reviewed the 2025 Balanced Scorecard and progress on the NREB Strategic Plan, highlighting key achievements and areas for improvement.
Heads of Division and Unit Heads presented updates on performance, operational challenges, and recommendations to enhance organisational efficiency and environmental governance.
The NREB 2026 Annual Calendar of Programmes and Activities was also unveiled, outlining major initiatives and commitments for the coming year.
An Open Dialogue Session chaired by Jack allowed personnel to discuss performance gaps and strategic interventions.
“As we move into 2026, every team member plays a crucial role in strengthening NREB’s capacity and integrity. Our collective effort will determine the quality of environmental management in Sarawak,” Jack said.
