SARAWAK has formulated its Biodiversity Master Plan, focusing on six key thematic areas.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the key thematic areas are economic planning and economic approach, sustainable financing for biodiversity and biodiversity mainstreaming, effective communication and information on biodiversity, sectoral policy and legal reform, institutional collaboration on biodiversity-related matters, biodiversity mainstreaming tools
“On Earth Day (April 22), Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg launched this policy statement and master plan, alongside the appointment of a biodiversity ambassador who will help engage the public and communicate our ongoing progress and commitments in conserving Sarawak’s rich biodiversity,” he said.
To ensure that development is carried out sustainably, Awang Tengah stated that the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) is enforced under the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance and the Prescribed Activities Order, 1994.
“For the first quarter of 2025, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) received a total of 20 EIA reports and eight Environmental Management Plan (EMP) reports.
“Of these, 18 EIA reports and six EMPs were approved, while four reports are still in various stages of evaluation.
“A total of 376 out of 1,115 projects across Sarawak were monitored through the Post-EIA Inspection process during the period from January to April 2025,” he said.
He said this during his winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Wednesday.
He noted that monitoring results found 40 cases of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of EIA approvals.
“From this number, 35 notices were issued, and 14 investigation papers were opened.
“Meanwhile, four cases were compounded with a total of RM90,000 in fines for offences committed between 2021 and 2024,” he added.
Through the implementation of environmental compliance audits for the forestry sector for the period from July 2024 to April 2025, Awang Tengah said a total of 43 internal Environmental Compliance Audits (ECA) were carried out.
“NREB also appointed 33 auditors to conduct external ECA audits.
“To enhance the competency and number of ECA auditors in Sarawak, four series of ECA Auditor Certification Courses have been conducted since 2024, with a total of 99 participants from the industry and EIA consultants attending the courses,” he said.
