THE existence of carbon stocks in Sarawak will put the state in the eyes of the world or the United Nations, says Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (GPS-Tupong).
In support of the proposed Forests (Amendment) Bill 2022, he added that vast opportunities would be derived from the existence of carbon stocks in Sarawak as Sarawak alone has 7.91 million hectares of forest.
“We are not only talking about carbon trading, but we are also talking about the big amounts of grants that big global companies are willing to channel for the preservation activities.
“These activities will create employment and spinoff beneficial activities,” he said during debate time on the Bill on Thursday (May 19).
Furthermore, he pointed out that the Bill, which introduces Amenity Forest as one of the Permanent Forests for educational, research and recreational purposes, would definitely further encourage the growth of new and related jobs and specialties.
“This will provide an opportunity for the people to get high-paying jobs. This is because the process of measuring and conserving forests, which is in line with the needs of the world, will create another new industry and more jobs.”
The said Bill, which was proposed by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, stated that the amendments were intended to provide better management of the state’s forests and its natural resources in accordance with one of the strategic thrusts—environmental sustainability—in the state’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
