KUCHING: Over 160 staff from the Department of Environment (DOE) are slated to transition to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) this August.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said this move comes in the wake of the state government’s success in reclaiming full authority over environmental affairs in the state.
“DOE, previously a department at the federal government level, will now be integrated into the NREB at the state level following discussions with the federal government last year.
” As a result, the DOE will cease to exist in Sarawak. This achievement comes from negotiations with the federal government based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.
He said these during the Sarawak Kita Empun (SKE) 2.0 event held at Wisma Sabati here on today (Feb 25).
NREB operates under the purview of the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, overseeing all environmental-related activities, while DOE operates at the federal level.
On Feb 1 this year, Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, disclosed that Sarawak’s request for the transfer of environmental autonomy will be realised by Jan 1, 2025.
He added that concerted efforts are underway to ensure a seamless transition of powers within the stipulated timeframe.
