Abang Johari says "yes" to Singapore students to come and know Sarawak's forests and wildlife

KUCHING, Oct 18 2025: Premier Datuk Patinggu Abang Johari Openg has said he has agreed to Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong’s suggestion to allow Singaporeans students to come to Sarawak to get to know forests and wildlife.

Abang Johari:  Sarawak and Singapore want to establish a new form of cooperation that focuses on environmental education, involving primary and secondary school students.
 

He said the island republic does not have natural forest areas which has resulted in many of its young people never seeing wildlife in person.

“On Friday morning I was with Gan, who suggested that we have a close relationship to provide a way for the younger generation to get to know the forests and the natural habitat of wildlife.

“We know that Singapore does not have forests, and many young people there have never seen chickens in person and wildlife up close.

“So, he and I agreed that primary and secondary school students from Singapore would come to Sarawak through a student exchange programme to learn about nature,” he said this at the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) annual dinner here last night.

According to the premier, the move will not only strengthen awareness and knowledge about the environment among students, but also provide an opportunity for SFC to share expertise and information with teachers and students from Singapore.

He said the initiative was not only for Singaporean students, but also involved expatriate students in the republic.

He said Sarawak and Singapore want to establish a new form of cooperation that focuses on environmental education among the younger generation, particularly through exchange programmes for primary and secondary school students.

He said Gan raised the proposal during their meeting last Thursday.

He said the initiative was not only for Singaporean students, but also involved expatriate students in the republic.

The premier said at the meeting he proposed that Singapore grants more landing rights to Sarawak via the airline AirBorneo to facilitate the implementation of the student exchange programme.

He said he is confident that the initiative can serve as an example for other regional cooperation in the field of environmental education and sustainable tourism, in line with Sarawak’s commitment to green development and environmental sustainability.