Norlin (third left) hands over a vase made from recycled materials to Abang Johari (fifth right) as a token of appreciation. Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is taking bold steps in its commitment to protect the environment for the sake of future generations, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Sarawak cares about the environment. Even though we have not reached a critical stage like some countries, we must be prepared and give a good environmental legacy for our future generations,” he said at the launch of the state-level National Environment Day celebration here.
Abang Johari said besides its reforestation policy, the state was also looking at other countries with the technology to reduce carbon dioxide emission and because of that, Sarawak had decided to explore hydrogen technology.
He added that while some people might be of the opinion that it was ‘too early’ for the state to pursue such endeavours, he firmly believed that Sarawakians had the expertise to do so.
“By working together with other scientists, we will try to introduce technology so that we will have renewable energy. We already have one source, which is hydropower, and we will try to use hydrogen as a source to move the economy.
“Malaysia has a Blueprint in 2017 to push for hydrogen, but I understand it has not reached a certain stage yet and is still in discussion. But hopefully Sarawak has started on it through our pilot project to produce hydrogen and that will position Sarawak as the first state in Malaysia that is serious about the environment,” Abang Johari said.
He also thanked the federal government for restoring certain powers back to the state under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which enabled the state to further look after the environment.
“In this DUN session, we amended our laws so that our officers will have the power to carry out any actions and look after the environment through Sarawak’s perspective.
“Thus, at the state-level, Sarawak will try to look after the environment holistically and using the latest technology in order to give a good environmental situation for the state and Sarawakians,” Abang Johari added.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, DUN speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion and Department of Environment director-general Norlin Jaafar.