KUCHING: The Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) is calling for stronger and more direct participation of Dayak communities in carbon trading initiatives taking place in forest areas close to their settlements.

Its president, Dato Allan Keripin, said the chamber supports the Sarawak Government’s move to regulate carbon trading and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) activities in the state, but emphasised that communities living near forest areas must also be part of the process and share in the benefits.

“We recognise that many Dayak communities live in the periphery or vicinity of Sarawak’s forests and jungles and maintain a close custodial relationship with these ecosystems,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

Dato Allan noted that the communities depend on the forests for their livelihoods through activities such as farming, foraging and fishing, making the natural environment central to their economic well-being as well as their cultural and social life.

He said the chamber’s position is in line with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg’s earlier call for Dayak communities to tap into their abundant natural resources to generate lasting economic value, including venturing into carbon trading for long-term stability.

The Sarawak Premier made the call during the official opening of the DCF and DCCI Towers on Aug 19, 2023.

“Where carbon trading activities become specific projects in areas where Dayak communities are physically and closely domiciled, we support their direct and meaningful participation,” Dato Allan added.

During DCCI’s 24th Annual General Meeting held on Saturday, members unanimously passed several resolutions related to the matter.

Among them was a request for the State Government to allocate a reasonable share of profits or revenues from carbon trading projects to Dayak communities living near forests where such activities are carried out.

“We humbly request that a reasonable portion of profits or revenues from carbon trading projects be allocated to the affected Dayak communities,” he said.

DCCI also recommended that the State Government establish a body comprising indigenous business chambers such as DCCI and the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI), together with representatives from the affected communities, to help facilitate the distribution of the revenue.

Dato Allan said the chamber would write to the Sarawak Premier to seek his advice and consideration towards realising the proposals. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Uilson Ng