KUCHING: There will be no reversal of the ‘no more timber’ concession policy.
Operating licences will not be renewed unless the land involved has been approved for development purposes.
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Haji Johari Tun Openg stressed on this in line with policy instituted by the former Chief Minister, the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem. It aims to put a stop to issuance of timber concessions and to considerably reduce the number of short-term Occupation Ticket (OT) licence.
“Recently, I have directed the Forest Department to be transparent in awarding short-term timber licences for the harvesting of merchantable timber within the state land which are earmarked for development through the open tender process.
“This has been misunderstood to be a reversal of the previous policy. No, the policy stays,” said Johari in his speech at the Chief Minister’s Environmental Award 2017 at the Imperial Hotel on Wednesday night.
He said as the new Chief Minister of Sarawak, he would continue the policies laid down by Adenan and and his legacy to lead the state to a better future, not just economically but also to transform Sarawak into a clean, green and healthy state.
“Meanwhile, as a result of our policy of balanced development coupled with conservation and stringent environmental regulatory mechanism, we have been able to mitigate and minimise the impacts of development on the environment.
“As you all can see, we can still breathe more days of fresh and unpolluted air. Our rivers can still supply raw water for domestic consumption with thriving aquatic ecosystem, large expanse of high biodiversity conservation areas are managed under the Totally Protected Areas or TPA, and there a lots of green all over Sarawak,” said Johari.
He said Sarawak must continue to pursue the transformation agenda, especially industrial development.
“We must be prepared for the emergence of complex environmental issues such as the emission of hazardous and noxious gases from industries, chemicals and oil pollutants into river ecosystems, which will require a long sustained, political, moral, ethical, and financial commitment, far beyond any effort made before,” he said.
He also pointed out that the state’s environmental performances were being remotely scrutinised and monitored, not only by the state government but also global communities to ensure that Sarawak subscribed to the national and international standards and principles.
“As such, we need environmental agency like the NREB to strengthen the technical competency and review human capital needs to meet these challenges, making use of available technological support in conducting their operations and programmes.
“Where necessary, NREB must conduct interagency collaborations in ensuring our transformation agenda is on track and the health of our environment protected, sustained and enhanced,” said Johari.
The 7th CMEA saw a total of 78 entries from the government agencies, small industries, medium enterprise, large enterprise and expanded categories that include the media and individual/ journalist categories.
For government agencies, the 7th CMEA was won by Miri City Council while for small industries was won by Shell PJSS Enterprise (Shell Petrol Station), medium industries that comprise four sub categories was won by Wargana Constrium Sdn Bhd for Services-Waste Management/ Disposal, Stenggang Oil Palm Estate (SALCRA)for plantation, Grand Margherita Hotel for Hotel and Resort and Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club for Golf Course.
As for large enterprise, there were six sub categories namely Manufacturing that was won by ASEAN Bintulu Fertilizer Sdn Bhd; Services-Electricity Supply was won by Sejingkat Power Corporation Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Energy Berhad); Services-Waste Disposal was won by Trienekens Sarawak Sdn Bhd while Ta Ann Plywood Sdn Bhd for Plantation, NAIM Holdings Berhad took the honours for Construction and Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd for Oil and Gad.
The Individual Category was won by Prof Dr Lau Seng from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) whereas the Journalist Category was won by Andy Jong Wan Joon from Sin Chew Daily.
