Forest Department's Greening Sarawak Campaign recognised under ASEAN Creen Initiative 2026

KUCHING, Sept 14 2026: The state Forest Department, through its Greening Sarawak Campaign, has received recognition under the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI) 2026 in the Large-Scale Tree Planting Initiative category. 

Caption:  Presentation of the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI) 2026 recognition to Forest Department Sarawak.

The recognition was presented at the Second ASEAN Green Initiative Recognition Event held recently in Quezon City, Philippines.

The ASEAN Green Initiative is a regional recognition programme implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) to recognise tree planting initiatives that contribute to increasing tree cover and restoring ecosystems across the ASEAN region. 

The initiative promotes the planting of native tree species to support biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

In a statement, the department said the recognition reflects its continued commitment to forest landscape restoration and greening efforts in Sarawak, particularly through the planting of indigenous tree species. 

It added a total of 290,846 trees from threatened species listed in the IUCN Red List were planted under the Greening Sarawak Campaign, comprising species classified as Endangered and Vulnerable, from 2021 to 2025.

Head of the Restoration and Industrial Forest Division (RIFD) Zarina Shebli received the recognition and subsequently shared Sarawak’s experience in implementing the Greening Sarawak Campaign during the Ecosystem Restoration Session of the ASEAN Heritage Parks Forum 2026, alongside other AGI awardees.

This ASEAN-level recognition further strengthens the department's commitment to advancing forest restoration, biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management in Sarawak. 

The department extends its sincere appreciation to all stakeholders and partners for their continuous support and contribution towards the successful implementation of the Greening Sarawak Campaign. 

This recognition reflects the collective commitment towards forest restoration, biodiversity conservation and the greening of Sarawak.

  

 

Fresh from addressing PBB northern zone convention in Miri, Abang Johari now in Bangkok to attend the GASTECH 2026

BANGKOK, Sept 13 2026 – Fresh from addressing PBB northern zone special convention in Sibu late this morning, Premier Abang Johari Openg arrived in Bangkok for a one-day official working visit to Thailand.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg arriving in Bangkok for a one-day working visit

He was received upon arrival by Ahmad Phadil bin Mohamed Ismail Deputy Chief of Mission at the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok.

He is in Bangkok at the invitation of the Ministry of Energy of Thailand to attend GASTECH 2026, the world’s largest exhibition and conference dedicated to natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), low-carbon solutions, electrification and artificial intelligence (AI) for energy.

During the visit, Abang Johari is scheduled to participate in a Ministerial Roundtable Meeting and a Fireside Chat moderated by Roland Lim at GASTECH 2026, which will be held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) tomorrow.

The engagements will provide an important platform for Sarawak to exchange views on the evolving global energy landscape, explore strategic opportunities and strengthen cooperation in areas related to energy transition, technology and innovation.

Sarawak's wealthy northern region key to drive state's economy further, says Awang Tengah

MIRI, Sept 13 2026: Sarawak's  northern region is in a key position to drive the state's economy further by 2030 due to its vast natural resources, strategic location and  well-developed infrastructures.

Caption: Deputy Premier and PBB deputy president Awang Tengah Ali Hasan says northern region's proximity to Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah and Labuan also opens up opportunities for cross-border trade, in addition to modern agricultural development to enhance food security

Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the region had strengths in the oil and gas, renewable energy, agriculture, forestry, industrial and tourism sectors that could be leveraged to generate new growth.

“Among the developments is the onshore oil and gas drilling at Adong Kecil West, Miri, which is now producing more than 800 barrels per day, marking Sarawak’s return to onshore oil production after almost 50 years,” he said.

Awang Tengah, who is also PBB deputy president, was addressing the Special Convention of PBB Northern Zone, which was officiated by Premier and PBB pesident Abang Johari Openg today.

He said the northern zone’s strengths are further supported by Bintulu as a centre for the oil and gas industry and low-carbon economic activities, while Miri has strengths in the services and tourism sectors.

“Its proximity to Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah and Labuan also opens up opportunities for cross-border trade, in addition to modern agricultural development to enhance food security,” he said.

He added that efforts to harness these potentials needed to be supported by road and bridge networks, water and electricity supply, as well as telecommunications infrastructure to connect communities with markets and economic opportunities, in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) to increase the income and well-being of the people.

Premier raised up issue concerning over 5,000 shortages of healthcare workforce in Sarawak at recent MTPMA63 meeting, says Dr Sim

 PADAWAN, Sept 13 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has raised up the issue of healthcare workforce shortages in Sarawak, involving over 5,000 positions, during the recent meeting of the Implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Action Council, Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said today.

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian (wearing a yellow shirt) and Deputy Minister of Transport Dr Jerip Susil speaking to reporters

He said the issue has been brought to the attention of the Public Service Department (JPA).

Dr Sim said that approximately 18 percent of positions within the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) currently have remained unfilled.

"This matter requires a special approach—including regarding workforce recruitment—to enable Sarawak to meet the state's healthcare service needs more effectively," he told reporters.

“We have actually spoken to the JPA, and the premier also raised the issue during the MA63 meeting, noting that we need a special task force and special recruitment measures so we can help ourselves and not have to rely on Kuala Lumpur all the time,” he said.

Dr Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said this  after visiting the family and paying his last respects to the late Staff Nurse (SN) Debra Moset at her family home in Kampung Semadang, here, today.

He noted that efforts to strengthen Sarawak's healthcare autonomy are also being discussed; however, implementation is a complex process as it involves amending 41 laws.

He added that practical approaches must continue to be explored to ensure that workforce issues and healthcare service delivery can be addressed in stages for the benefit of the people of Sarawak.

“We are trying to look at whatever methods can yield results first and improve everyone's lives,” he added. 

Remind PMX that there must be conclusion to negotiation over MA63 issues, PBK Voon tells Sarawak premier

KUCHING, Sept 13 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan has asked Premier Abang Johari Openg to remind Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that there must be a conclusion to the negotiation over issues relating to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Caption: PBK president Voon Lee Shan says Sarawak cannot negotiate indefinitely

"We cannot continue spending enormous amount of public money, time and political energy on negotiations that go on indefinitely without a final settlement of the fundamental issues," he said in a statement.

"Sarawak cannot negotiate indefinitely," Voon stressed.

He said the federal government must be given a clear and reasonable timeline to resolve the outstanding constitutional, financial, administrative and territorial rights of Sarawak.

He added there must be a clearly defined list of outstanding Sarawak rights and claims, a definite timeline for resolving each issue; and transparent mechanism for implementation

Voon said there must be a binding commitment to amend or restore provisions where necessary; and clear consequence if meaningful resolution cannot be achieved.

"The people of Sarawak should not have to wait another ten, twenty or sixty years for the negotiations to be concluded," he said.

Voon stressed that the problems surrounding MA63) did not begin yesterday, but began even before Malaysia came into existence and have continued, on and off, for more than six decades.

He said Abang Johari has been Sarawak's premier for nearly nine years and eight months, yet the fundamental questions concerning Sarawak's rights and position have still not been conclusively resolved. 

Voon noted that the latest MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu on Sept 11 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Abang Johari and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, has produced some developments, including an in-principle decision to increase the parliamentary representation of Sabah and Sarawak. 

He said Anwar has also indicated that an interim measure concerning Sarawak may be announced on Malaysia Day on Sept 16.

 "Let us be honest. These are not the final answers to the fundamental problems of Sarawak," he said, adding that for decades, Sarawakians have been told that discussions are continuing, committees are studying the matters, technical issues are being examined and negotiations will continue.

"How much longer can we wait?" he asked. 

Voon said PBK wishes to make this clear to the prime minister, premier and Sabah Chief Minister that the question of MA63 should not be treated merely as a national political narrative, stating it is fundamentally a regional question concerning the relationship between Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.

He reminded that Malaya came to Sabah and Sarawak and proposed the formation of Malaysia, pointing out that the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak agreed to enter into this political arrangement on the basis of certain understandings, safeguards and constitutional arrangements.
"History must not be forgotten," Voon said.