SARAWAK and Sabah can play a vital role in helping the country weather climate change, as 62% of the rainforests in the country lie in the two East Malaysian states.
Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said there is a huge potential for the state to turn its resources into sustainable models.
Speaking at the opening of the zero waste conference 2.0, which is part of the Green and Geopark Excellence Awards (GAGA) initiative, he said the state is making efforts to lead the country in sustainable policies, from the autonomous rail transit (ART) project, which is powered by hydrogen, to protecting forests.
Hazland, who is also the Demak Laut assemblyman, said there are around 300 rivers in Sarawak and eight dams to help provide treated water supply to the population here.
Under the MA63 agreement, the purview and legislation of environmental matters come under Sarawak.
The conference also saw the participation of the Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) chairman, Datuk Seri Jaseni Maidinsa, and the Penang Island City Council president and George Town Lord Mayor, Datuk Anthony Rajendran.
Jaseni spoke on the offer by PAAB to help Sarawak cope with its future water supply needs by providing capital grants to acquire essential infrastructure like water treatment plants.
He also implored water authorities to engage in recycling practices such as the new tech which can convert water residue into bricks for the construction industry.
Rajendran spoke about the natural climate adaptation programme, which is funded by the United Nations Habitat with coordination from Think City Sdn Bhd. - October 5, 2026.
