KUCHING: Stronger policies and regional cooperation are needed to ensure that open burning for plantations does not undermine sustainable forest management in Southeast Asia.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said although awareness of forest conservation is increasing in the region, enforcement measures against large-scale open burning remain inconsistent.
“We cannot stop villagers from carrying out small-scale burning but large-scale burning to clear land for plantations is very concerning.
“However, when open burning is carried out to clear land for plantations, it harms the environment, disrupts ecosystems, threatens wildlife in the forests, and poses health risks to people,” he said.
He said this at a press conference during the Rainforest Youth Summit 2025 (RAYS2025): Living Landscape: Shaping a Sustainable Future at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) here on Wednesday.
In this regard, he hopes leaders and ministers from ASEAN countries will take this issue more seriously and develop effective policies and guidelines to prevent open burning from continuing unchecked.
“This problem must be addressed with long-term initiatives, not only when the haze hits. Every ASEAN member country must take responsibility,” Abdul Karim stressed.
In a related development, he also highlighted the success of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), now in its 28th edition, which serves not just as an entertainment event but as a vital platform to spread environmental awareness.
He said the RWMF is not just a celebration of music from various countries but also educates visitors about their responsibility towards the environment, with part of the ticket sales proceeds used for reforestation projects.
“This year’s festival introduced various green initiatives, including banning the sale of drinks in plastic bottles. Visitors are required to bring their own bottles as a symbolic step to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.
“We want every visitor to understand that besides enjoying music, they also have a responsibility to this planet. This approach is not only applied at the RWMF but also in most of our other events,” he added.
He also commented on the rapid growth of music festivals throughout Southeast Asia post-COVID-19, describing it as a healthy phenomenon that should, however, be carried out ethically.
Since pandemic restrictions were lifted, Abdul Karim said music festivals have mushroomed everywhere.
“In Kuala Lumpur, many Indonesian artistes come to perform such as Rosa, Krisdayanti, and many more. Sarawak is no exception.
“However, the vibrancy of these festivals must be balanced with a commitment to sustainability. We must be responsible, not just organise events for glamour alone,” he said.
