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by DayakDaily Team KUCHING, Nov 10: Sarawak is actively implementing a strategic agenda to become a green, low-carbon, and sustainable economy, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said. Speaking at the 30th Anniversary of Cooperation Celebration between the Japanese Malaysia Association (JMA) and the Sarawak Forest Department in Tokyo today, the Premier highlighted several key initiatives including the Forests (Forest Carbon Activity) Rules 2022, the restoration of 200,000 hectares of forest landscapes by 2030, the planting of more than 50 million trees across the State, and the strengthening of protected areas and biodiversity conservation. “We believe that Sarawak’s forests are not just economic assets, but a sacred trust for future generations. “So, Japan remains a very valuable strategic partner in this effort, especially through the continued support of JMA,” he said, according to a report by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS). The Premier also emphasised Sarawak’s role in renewable energy production, not only for domestic consumption but also to meet the green energy needs of the wider Asean region. He noted that Sarawak has been identified as part of the Asean Green Initiative to supply green energy to neighboring countries within Asean. According to him, Sarawak currently generates 70 per cent of its energy from hydropower and 30 per cent from low-carbon gas. “With this combination, we hope to share our ‘electrons’ with neighboring countries, and with support and technology from Japan, we believe we can contribute to efforts to green the world,” he said. Also present at the ceremony were the Malaysian Ambassador to Japan Dato Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, JMA chairman Furuya Keiji, Sarawak Forest Department director Datu Hamden Mohammad and other officials. – DayakDaily
