Lun Bawang community opposes move to gazette Ulu Trusan area as protected forest

KUCHING, Nov 26 2025: The Lun Bawang community strongly opposes a proposal to gazette “a significant area” in Ulu Trusan in Ba’Kelalan constituency as a protected forest, a government backbencher Baru Bian has said in the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) today.

Baru Bian:It is the government's third attempt to designate the area as Ulu Trusan Protected Forest.

However, he said the community is ready to engage in dialogue with the government, and as their representative, he is duty-bound to ensure their voices are heard.

“Sections 14 and 21 of the Forest Ordinance 2015 provide avenues for recognising community rights and privileges.

“Therefore, I urge the government to commit to facilitating an inclusive and transparent consultation process with our community regarding their ancestral lands and forests,” Baru, who is also the State Legislative Member (SLM) for Ba’Kekalan, said during the debate on the 2026 State Budget.

He noted that it is the government's third attempt to designate the area as Ulu Trusan Protected Forest.

He recalled that the initial proposal was made in May 2015, followed by a second attempt in February 2022, both of which faced strong opposition from the affected community.

“Petitions were submitted to both the former chief minister and the current Premier, leading to the suspension of those proposals,” he said, referring the  late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem and Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg.

“Thus, it is profoundly disappointing that we find ourselves in this position once again,” Baru said.

He noted that on July 21, the regional forest officer in Limbang issued a memorandum directing the district officer to publish Gazette No. 283 on the district office notice board in Lawas, initiating the process for the proposed declaration of the "Ulu Trusan Protected Forest."

He said on on behalf of the Lun Bawang  community, he submitted a petition with over 2,257

signatures to the premier on September 24, 2025, requesting the immediate withdrawal of this Gazette.

“What troubles me is the absence of prior consultations with the community before issuing the memorandum.

“This disregard for consultation is alarming, especially in light of clear assurances provided to me in 2022 during a meeting with the premier and relevant agencies, where it was promised that

consultations would precede any future proposals.

“Had proper consultations been conducted, the authorities would have been acutely aware of the community's steadfast opposition to this designation,” he said. Adding that the vast land area proposed would severely restrict local people’s ability to continue their traditional way of life.

He said in their  petition dated September 3 2025, they outlined their grievances regarding the

government's failure to adhere to the consultation requirements set forth in the Forest Ordinance 2015, leaving the Lun Bawang community feeling overlooked and marginalized.

He said their concerns include a loss of Native Customary Rights and Privileges, adding that the proposal threatens to extinguish their native customary rights and privileges, which they have upheld and practised for generations, prior to January 1, 1954.

“Our access to land and natural resources is essential to our survival, cultural identity, and heritage,” he said stating that Lun Bawang community relies heavily on the forest for sustenance.

He said activities such as hunting, fishing, and gathering jungle produce are vital to their existence.

He said timber from the forest is used for construction and firewood, while they depend on various forest resources for weaving traditional items.

“Restrictions on access to these resources pose a direct threat to our families' livelihoods,” he said.

Baru said the forest is not merely a resource, but it is the heart of their cultural heritage, adding that the traditional attire and instruments are crafted from materials found in the forest.

“Without access to these resources, our rich traditions face the risk of being lost to future generations,” he added.

Dedicated authority to be set up to regulate wastes management, says Uggah

KUCHING, Nov 25 2025: The Sarawak Legislative Assembky (SLA) has unanimously passed the  Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill, 2025 that seeks to establish a dedicated authority to regulate, coordinate, and promote sustainable resources and wastes management throughout the state. 

Douglas Uggah: Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill marks an important step in strengthening sustainable resources and wastes management

The bill was passed after 24 state assemblymen from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) took part in the debate.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, in his winding up speech, he said took notes of the isues raised by the state assemblymen.

“There are a lot of suggestions and proposals which are enough constructive that help the ministry to set up the dedicated authority that will implement its role in running the circular economy,” Uggah, who is also the Second Minister of Finance and New Economy, said.

He said the bill marks an important step in strengthening its sustainable resources and wastes management in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS2030).

In tabling the bill this morning, Uggah said it seeks to empower the authority to oversee activities including segregation, collection, treatment, recycling, and disposal.

“The authority may issue guidelines or directions, require reports, and approve related

plans or projects to ensure effective management and compliance,” Uggah added.

He said the authority will also be responsible to promote investment, research, innovation, and capacity building by engaging with potential investors and financiers to advance sustainable initiatives across Sarawak.

Uggah said the bill marks an important step in advancing Sarawak’s environmental sustainability,

circular economy and energy transition.

“The state’s diverse biomass feedstocks, including palm oil residues, woody biomass, sago wastes, and municipal solid wastes, present significant opportunities for bioenergy development.

“These materials, once regarded merely as wastes, are now recognized as valuable resources for energy generation and value-added industries,” he added.

Under the Sarawak Energy Transition Policy (SET-P), Uggah said bio-energy is projected to

contribute approximately 10 million standard cubic feet (mmscf), measured as natural

gas equivalent, by 2035.

Citing waste of the oil palm industry as an example, he said there are currently 84 palm oil mills operating in Sarawak, processing about 22 million tons of fresh fruit bunch annually.

He said this, in turn, generates approximately four million tons of empty fruit bunches (EFB) and 14 million tons of palm oil mill effluent (POME) each year.

“These byproducts represent low-hanging fruits that is readily available feedstocks that can be converted into a range of bio-based products such as biogas, biofuels, biomass pellets, and biochemicals including bioplastics.

“In addition to EFB and POME, the mills also produce palm kernel shell (PKS), a high quality, high calorific value solid biomass with strong export demand, mainly used as feedstock for energy generation in countries like Japan and South Korea,” he said.

He added Sarawak is also assessing the feasibility of converting municipal solid wastes into energy, where the volume of wastes is sufficient to make such projects viable.

He said the bill also seeks to empower the authority to carry out enforcement activities, including

the power of arrest and compound any person who has committed an offence under the

bill.

“It further grants the authority the power to conduct searches and seizures, as well as to dispose of or forfeit goods in accordance with the provisions of the bill.

“The bill also seeks to introduce provisions on offences and penalties for non-compliance with direction, notice or order, general p

Questioning the legality of MA63 or calling for its removal may be seditious in nature, reminds Hasidah

KUCHING, Nov 25 2025: Deputy Minister of Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and State-Federal Relations Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali today reminded that questioning the legality or calling for the removal of MA63 may be seditious in nature.

Sharifah Hasidah: Any suggestion to cancel or abolish MA63 is therefore constitutionally untenable

She said such thoughtless actions and comments could lead to division and incite hatred among Malaysians.

“Such actions and comments are intended to divide the people of Malaysia and vilify those who work tirelessly to ensure the full implementation of MA63,” she said at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA).

Sharidah Hasidah said that any statement made by any person on MA63 is their own personal opinions and carries no legal weight.

She said those who questioned MA63 are ignorant of history, adding:”It is also a blatant attack on the constitutional integrity of our federation.”

She reminded that the MA63 is the foundational instrument that gave legal effect to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, stressing that without MA63, the federation itself has no constitutional basis to exist.

“Any suggestion to cancel or abolish MA63 is therefore constitutionally untenable,” she said, in indirect reference to remarks made by former law minister Zaid Ibrahim who had called for the cancellation of the MA63.

The deputy minister noted that following a recent amendment to Article 160 of the Federal Constitution, MA63 is now an integral part of the Federal Constitution.

She said the statutory recognition further confirms that the rights and obligations arising from the MA63 form part of the supreme law of the Federation and cannot be removed by personal opinion or political rhetoric.

“In essence, MA63 remains integral, binding and constitutionally protected, and the Sarawak government will continue to ensure that its terms are upheld.

“We should ignore these foul and noisy voices especially from certain quarters and carry on with our effort of ensuring Malaysia remains united, harmonious and strong because  a strong Sarawak is a strong Malaysia,” she added.

To another question, Sharifah Hasidah said Sarawak’s interests, under MA63, will continue to be safeguarded and upheld through constitutional and legal mechanisms, particularly by invoking provisions of the Federal Constitution, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report recommendations and the MA63 itself.

“These instruments provide the legal basis for asserting and protecting our state’s rights,” she said.

She added the Sarawak government is actively engaging and participating in the Malaysian Agreement Implementation Action Council and its Technical and Working Committees, to

ensure that Sarawak's interests are continuously put forward and firmly asserted at every stage of negotiation.

She said the state government is consistently pursuing the state’s interests by raising and

reaffirming the  rights through ministerial meetings, negotiations and official correspondences.

Tiong represents himself in Sabah, not repesentative of GPS, clarifies PBB Youth

KUCHING, Nov 25 2025: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth today said that Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Tiong King Sing (picture) was not representing Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) when he gave support to Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates in the Sabah state election.

It said he was in Sabah in his personal capacity as a minister of tourism, arts and culture.

“But not under the direction, authority or representation of GPS,” the Youth said in a statement.

“Any action or statement made by Tiong in any of the Sabah state election constituencies that are currently taking place does not reflect GPS's official stance, nor does it have any direct connection with GPS,” it said.

It added that GPS expressed its commitment to continue to respect the relationship with Sabah and not to interfere in local political affairs throughout the Sabah election.

PBB Youth said it issued a statement  to preserve good ties between the states and to prevent

misunderstandings and to reaffirm GPS's impartial position in the 2025 Sabah state election.

Posting on Facebook two days ago, Tiong said he visited Kg Merotai Iban  to show support for Pakatan Harapan candidate for Merotai Ruji Ubi.

He also called on Sabahans working away from home to return and vote on November 29.

On Nov 19, PDP deputy president  Henry Harry Jinep had claimed that Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak premier, had issued directive to any member of GPS component parties not to campaign or support any party or candidate contesting in the Sabah election.

According to Henry, any coalition members found doing so would face disciplinary action.

He was commenting on a video showing a PDP Marudi member claiming to be helping with the campaign in Sabah.