KUCHING: Sarawak’s role in preserving its forests has positioned the state as the “Soul of Borneo”, allowing it to contribute to the health of both the natural environment and communities.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak’s nature-based ecosystem had also influenced its economic policies, particularly its emphasis on environmental preservation and renewable energy.
“Against the backdrop of rising global temperatures and carbon emissions, Sarawak manages to maintain — actually, we are negative carbon. We produce more oxygen than carbon.
“That’s why we are the soul of Borneo. We are the soul of nature because we can contribute to the health not only for the natural landscape, but also the health of people
“And that becomes the pillar of not only our social policies, but also economic policy,” he said during the Soul of Borneo Gala Dinner at voco Kuching here on Wednesday (Aug 19).
The Premier said Borneo, the world’s third-largest island, covered roughly 740,000 square kilometres, with about 427,000 square kilometres still covered by one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests.
“Sarawak is in the island of Borneo, having an area of 134,000 square kilometers, and 62 per cent of Sarawak is covered with forests — roughly about 200,000 square kilometers.
“And against the background, Sarawak is preserving this important and significant rainforest,” he said.
He said the state’s diverse races and ethnic groups had also developed a way of living in harmony with one another and with nature.
“Various races, ethnic groups, we are as if one family. Not only in harmony within our various races, but we are in harmony with nature. Thus, the ecosystem is very much nature-based, and our economic policy is also now towards preservation of nature,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s commitment to nature conservation had also resulted in several UNESCO recognitions, including Gunung Mulu National Park and the Niah National Park Caves.
He said Sarawak’s food heritage had also been recognised through its UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation, while the Kuching Delta Geopark represented the latest UNESCO recognition for the state.
“This we want to share with the world.
“And in order to present that, as I said, we are giving emphasis on renewable energy, using nature as our base of energy, from hydro water to solar, with the solar panel being installed in many areas in Sarawak, besides our biomass,” he said.
The event also saw the presentation of the Top 25 Restaurants Award to eateries in the state.
