KUCHING: The state Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has been urged to maintain the trust placed in them by ensuring the preservation and sustainability of the environment through vigilant monitoring and enforcement.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tenagh Ali Hasan said they must also ensure the terms and conditions outlined in approved environmental reports, such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP), are followed.
“As a main agency responsible for achieving environmental sustainability in Sarawak and in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, NREB plays an important role in upholding the law, maintaining integrity and improving administrative systems and procedures,” he said during the 2023 NREB Integrity Day at The Waterfront Hotel here today.
At the same time, Awang Tengah, who is also the Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, urged NREB to strive to obtain the International Organisation of Standardisation (ISO) 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS) certification.
“This is because as an enforcement agency, it is certain that NREB views integrity seriously in its work culture,” he said, while adding that the ISO 37001:2016 ABMS was developed to assist organisations in establishing, implementing and improving anti-bribery compliance programmes, incorporating global anti-corruption best practices.
He also commended NREB for its completion of the Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) 2021-2025, which has been revised and is in its third year of implementation.
“I believe this revised version is more comprehensive and focused on addressing risks related to law enforcement, compliance, and environmental governance,” he said.
Apart from that, Awang Tengah encouraged NREB to participate in the National Level Integrity, Governance, and Anti-Corruption (AIGA) Awards organised by the Malaysian Integrity Institute.
“Through participation in the award, the top management’s commitment to tackle corruption and abuse of power will be measured based on the AIGA criteria,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of integrity among civil servants and reminded them of their responsibility to act transparently, accountably, and in accordance with laws and regulations.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk
Len Talif Salleh and NREB Controller of Environmental Quality Jack Liam.
