KUALA LUMPUR – The government is committed to continuing the Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative, and has approved an RM11.26 million allocation for the implementation of its programmes and activities under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) next year.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, in a statement today, said the continuation of HoB under 12MP is important and in line with the goal of sustainable forest management and conservation.
Putrajaya channelled RM90.3 million in 9MP till 11MP to fund projects under HoB in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Since the HoB declaration was signed in 2007, various conservation and preservation efforts in the identified areas have been implemented by Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
“Talks, meetings and seminars on HoB have also been held for the three countries to exchange experiences and ideas, and discuss issues of common interest in relation to the intiative.”
Among the initiative’s achievements over the past 13 years is increasing the HoB area in Sarawak from 2.1 million hectares to 2.7 million hectares, and totally protected areas in Sabah by 125,865 hectares, he said.
“I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the Sabah and Sarawak governments for their continued efforts and commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of this initiative.”
The initiative covers a total of 20 million hectares, of which 6.8 million hectares are in the two Borneo states. – Bernama, December 13, 2020
