KUCHING: Sarawak is set to propose that Indonesia utilises forest biomass through controlled methods to generate renewable energy, thus reducing forest burning activities.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESTY) Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said that this approach is a long-term solution to address the haze issue affecting ASEAN countries, including Sarawak, due to forest burning activities in Indonesia.
He asserted that his ministry intends to raise this matter during the Sarawak-level Malaysia-Indonesia Socio-Economic Cooperation (SOSEK MALINDO) Conference, which is scheduled for the near future.
“This is one of the long-term methods to address the haze issue. When Indonesia refrains from forest burning, the felled trees will decompose, and there is a system that can generate biomass for energy production,” he said during a press conference here yesterday.
Dr Hazland further explained that through this method, Indonesia can not only reduce forest burning caused by agriculture but also create a new source of income for the country.
Therefore, he plans to present this proposal to the Sarawak-level SOSEK MALINDO, highlighting the potential for renewable energy generation from biomass instead of burning forests, which leads to air pollution.
Meanwhile, he noted that the 13th Asia Aerosol Conference 2024 (13th AAC) organised by the World Air Quality Association, will take place here in August 2024.
“This conference will provide an opportunity for Sarawak to engage in discussions and dialogues with other ASEAN nations regarding air quality issues, including the haze problem affecting Sarawak,” he added.
Present at the press conference were NREB’s Controller for Environment Quality Jack Liam and Assistant Controller (Monitoring & Reporting) Tsai Koh Fen.
For the record, the Sarawak-level SOSEK MALINDO 2023 conference was held on September 21 at the Raia Hotel.
It involved representatives from federal government agencies, Indonesia, and Sarawak, focusing on discussions related to various socio-cultural, economic, trade, security, and border management matters.
