KUCHING: Sarawak continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the green economy through the high potential of strategic cooperation with the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), particularly in the fields of renewable energy, land management and sustainable development.

FELDA Chairman Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek stressed that Sarawak is among the states spearheading the implementation of green economy policies, including the use of renewable energy such as solar and hydro.

According to him, FELDA has identified common ground that can open up wider cooperation spaces, especially in formulating policies related to environmental sustainability at the national level.

“For example, the Federal Government has environmental laws that will be introduced where the concept of carbon tax will be introduced which requires a balancing mechanism such as carbon credits.

"So these are among the views that I say make Sarawak a very advanced state to present these matters, how we maintain the sustainability of our forests, how we manage our plantations, and how we get new sources of income through carbon credits and so on," he said.

He said this after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg at the Kompleks Satria Pertiwi on Thursday.

In another development, Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery also shared that the process of selling the Merdeka Palace Hotel in Kuching is now in the final stages after reaching an agreement with Pemodalan Satok Berhad.

“So far, an agreement has been reached and the process is now in the final stages to obtain approval from the relevant parties.

“We want to ensure that this hotel, which has important historical value to Kuching, is managed by a party that is in line with the interests of the state and the nation,” he said.

Also present were Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry for Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) Datu Abdullah Julaihi and Director of Sarawak Land and Survey Department Datu Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Shahril Haqim
Translator: Nerissa Sia