KUCHING: Sarawak will begin implementing a carbon levy in 2026 as part of the state's commitment to addressing climate change and supporting the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the carbon levy was introduced under the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance, 2023 and will be imposed on regulated facilities in the oil, gas and energy sectors.
"The proceeds will be channeled into a dedicated Climate Change Fund to support renewable energy development, energy efficiency, forest conservation, grid modernisation and climate-resilience initiatives," he said.
He said this when speaking at the Amanat Perdana Premier Sarawak 2026 event, themed ‘9 Tahun Gemilang’ held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said Sarawak continues to strengthen its financial architecture and institutional capacity to institutionalise credibility and ensure the sustainability of the implementation of state development policies.
Meanwhile, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said that Sarawak continues to strengthen its financial and institutional foundations to institutionalize credibility and ensure the sustainability of the implementation of state development policies.
According to him, the establishment of the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) aims to provide patient and development-oriented financing, in line with the state's priorities.
He added that the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund was established to convert limited resource revenues into sustainable financial assets for future generations.
Meanwhile, he explained that the acquisition of Sarawak's majority stake in Affin Bank has strengthened the state's strategic presence in the national financial system, thus enabling better alignment between financial intermediation and long-term development objectives.
"Overall, these efforts have elevated Sarawak to a higher level.
"Sarawak is no longer seen solely as a resource-based economy, but is increasingly recognised as a credible and reliable partner in regional and global economic transformation," he said.
Also present were daughter of Sarawak Premier Dayang Norjihan, Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Sarawak and Federal Ministers, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak and Federal Deputy Ministers, heads of departments and other dignitaries. -UKASnews
Reporter: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photographer: Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Nerissa Sia
