Awang Tengah (second left), accompanied by Sapuan (left) and Stefan (right), taking a closer look at the bead accessories exhibited outside the forum hall.
KUCHING: The proposed new National Parks and Wildlife Department is expected to be up and running by early next year.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said while the government is looking into a few aspects and finalising the details “rest assured that the department would be established soon”.
“Hopefully, latest by early next year,” he told the press after officiating at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Forum on Innovation, Inclusiveness and Impact: Strengthening and Diversifying Finance for Protected Areas on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun
Openg at a leading hotel here yesterday.
Earlier in his address, Awang Tengah pointed out that the Sarawak government is giving higher priority to conservation to protect the state’s natural areas.
He said the formation of this department would lead to a more coordinated, focus and adequate manning to meet the challenges of managing Sarawak’s protected areas and its wildlife more effectively and efficiently.
“Currently, part of it (parks, reserves and sanctuaries) is governed by Sarawak Forest Department and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC). With the new department, it will be more coordinated and focussed,” Awang Tengah elaborated.
“More importantly, we can recruit enough manpower. There are no major challenges (in setting up) but we want to ensure
the organisation structure includes addition of manpower,” he said.
On a suggestion that national parks be placed under Ministry of Tourism, Awang Tengah explained that the ministry is only involved in formulating policies while the department will manage, execute and implement all programmes.
“It is our desire and goal to preserve our rich biodiversity including flora and fauna. We are going to preserve that,” he reassured.
UNDP resident representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darulsalam Stefan Priesner and Sarawak Forest Department director Sapuan Ahmad were among those present.