EDUCATIONAL: Awang Tengah presenting a certificate to one of the participants as (from left) Dr Rundi, Mary, Talib and Len look on.
BINTULU: Corporate bodies must do their bit to ensure that the state’s natural resources and environment are sustainably managed, Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said yesterday.
He said it was wrong to heap everything onto the shoulders of bodies such as the Sarawak Forestry Corporation because caring for Mother Nature was a shared responsibility.
“It is our responsibility to give back to Mother Nature for all that we have harvested from her,” he said at the closing of ‘Nature n U’ environmental education camp at Similajau National Park.
Awang Tengah said he would like to see more partnerships such as the one between the Sarawak Forestry and Petronas MLNG as they were willing to give back to the community through organising educational programmes.
“Definitely the investment that you have put in today is priceless as the value that has been inculcated among these young students will create better citizens of the earth and future green leaders who will be mindful of the environment,” said Awang Tengah.
On the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), Awang Tengah urged everyone to fully understand the importance of making SCORE a success.
“It is vital that SCORE has the necessary support and cooperation from all to ensure that the next wave of development which will take place in this region is well-balanced and operate in a healthy environment.”
He stressed that SCORE was crafted to have a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.
“We do not want to reap wealth from the natural resources at the expense of the environment. It could be heinous if the development that we all are striving for degrade the priceless heritage.”
The three-day camp, themed ‘Coastal Ecosystem’, was attended by 50 students from SMK Bandar, SMK Baru, SMK Kidurong, SMK Tatau and SMK Assyakirin.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Assistant Minister of Public Health and Utilities Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Petronas Sarawak general manager Datin Mary Sadiah Zainuddin.