SIMANGGANG: The Sri Aman District Council (MDSA) has been selected as the host for the Sarawak Local Authorities Earth Hour 2026, scheduled to take place on 28 March.

The announcement was made by MDSA Chairman Councillor Anthony Abell Chendan during a press conference on the programme held at the MDSA Meeting Room here today.

According to him, the Earth Hour programme will be preceded by side activities on 27 March, including a workshop on making soap from used oil and a school-level colouring competition.

"On the morning of 28 March, we will hold a ‘gotong-royong’ activity with the people of Sri Aman, opening of the dog license application counter and assessment tax on the ground floor of the MDSA Library building as well as aerobics.

"Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian will symbolically launch this program at 8.30 pm at the Sri Aman Mini Stadium by switching off the lights for one hour simultaneously with government agencies here,” he said.

He said during the lights-off session, the programme will also feature video screenings on environmental issues and climate change.

Anthony added that the programme will be livestreamed on social media, with between 200 and 250 participants expected to take part virtually via links provided to 28 local authorities across the state.

“I call on all residents in Sri Aman to switch off their lights and non-essential electrical appliances at 8.30 pm on 28 March to show their spirit in protecting the environment.

“It is our hope that this programme will cultivate sustainable living practices in the daily lives of residents, while positioning Sri Aman as a community that is environmentally conscious,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were MDSA Secretary Mohd Rizal Zakaria, Deputy Chairperson of the MDSA Community Development and Tourism Committee Councillor Chin Li Li, MDSA Council Member Joshua Fam as well as MDSA staff.

Meanwhile, Earth Hour is a global movement initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), encouraging the public to switch off lights for one hour as a symbol of commitment to environmental conservation and efforts to address climate change.

The initiative was first organised in Sydney, Australia in 2007 by WWF together with media partners and local communities, with more than two million people and 2,000 businesses switching off their lights for one hour.

Following its success in Sydney, Earth Hour has grown into a global movement with more than 190 countries and territories now participating. -UKASnews