KUCHING: Real-time monitoring is set to play a bigger role in safeguarding Sarawak’s rivers, as efforts intensify to modernise environmental governance through data-driven systems.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, said the State still relied largely on manual river water sampling, with only one telemetric station currently in operation.
“Real-time data is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity for early detection, timely intervention, and science-based environmental management.
“I fully support NREB’s efforts to expand telemetric water quality monitoring across the State,” he said when closing the Stakeholder Engagement Programme Series 2/2025 today.
He also underscored the importance of professionalism and integrity among consultants and developers, stressing that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Environmental Monitoring Reports (EMR) must be more than compliance documents.
“These reports are both legal and moral obligations. They must be accurate, objective and transparent to reflect actual site conditions. Only then can we ensure responsible and sustainable development,” he said.
Dr Hazland noted that strong legislation alone was not enough, as true sustainability required collective effort from agencies, project proponents, consultants, and the public.
He urged stakeholders to embed sustainability into daily operations and long-term planning, highlighting the Premier of Sarawak Environmental Awards (PSEA) as a platform that promotes accountability, innovation, and best practices across sectors.
“Environmental leadership is about consistent action, beyond compliance. Through initiatives like PSEA, we are building a culture of responsibility and innovation that supports growth while protecting the environment,” he said.
He emphasised that sustainable progress and environmental stewardship must advance together to ensure a greener future.
