KUCHING: The initiative of Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg has succeeded in reducing the region's dependence on forest products, especially logging, as a main economic resource.
Director of Forests Sarawak, Datu Hamden Mohammad said 50 years ago, forest resources were the main contributor to the region’s economic development.
However, the Sarawak Premier’s emphasis on environmental sustainability, as outlined in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, has paved the way for new economic avenues while preserving Sarawak’s existing forest assets.
“If we look back 50 years, revenue from the forestry sector significantly contributed to Sarawak’s development. But under the leadership of the Sarawak Premier, the Sarawak Government has succeeded in creating alternative income sources (beyond forestry).
“This now allows us to focus on transforming the forestry sector towards conservation of our forest areas,” he added.
He said this when met by reporters during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025 event organised by the Forest Department Sarawak which took place at the SABATI Hall, here, on Tuesday.
Despite the heavy reliance on forestry over the past five decades, Datu Hamden explained that Sarawak has still managed to maintain its forest cover, and remains the state with the largest forested area in Malaysia.
“Even with the dependence on the logging sector as a source of income in the past, thanks to detailed and systematic planning by the government through the Forest Department and related agencies, we have managed to preserve 62 per cent of Sarawak’s land as forested area.
“In comparison with Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, we remain the region with the highest forest coverage, contributing 42 per cent of Malaysia’s total forest area. So, we aim to maintain this percentage,” he further explained.
Following this, he said the Forest Department Sarawak together with other relevant agencies will continue conservation efforts through government-led initiatives including large-scale tree replanting programmes.
Also present at the event were Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR), Datu Abdullah Julaihi, General Manager of the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Zainal Abidin Abdullah, Deputy Director of Forests Sarawak (Forest Conservation and Development), Happysupina Sait, Deputy Director of Forests Sarawak (Forest Management), Semilan Ripot, and Deputy Director (Management) of the Sarawak Land and Survey Department, Sr. Rozlan Putit. -UKASnews
