Forest Carbon Licences issued to LAKIKR and Shin Yang Sdn Bhd

KUCHING, Oct 15 2026:  The Sarawak government has issued two new Forest Carbon Licences, one to the Kuala Rajang Islamic Welfare Trust Board (LAKIKR) and the other, Shin Yang Sdn Bhd, to support its forest conservation efforts and green economy development.

Caption: Sarawak Forestry director Hamden Mohammad (left) handing over the Forest Carbon Licence to Shin Yang executive director Andy Wong Ko Hock, witnessed by Deputy Minister Len Talif Salleh (centre)

Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Len Talif Salleh said the issuance of the licences is the result of efforts undertaken by the state government over the past several years.

"Through the Sarawak Forestry Department, a licence has been granted to LAKIKR for an area of 4,788.2 hectares in Tanjung Manis, Kuala Rajang.

"The second licence has been granted to Shin Yang Sdn Bhd, covering a total area of 26,353 hectares for the Jalin Forest Carbon Area in Ulu Baram. There are two different types of forest: one located in a delta area, while the other is in a mountainous area," he said at the licence presentation ceremony held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex today.

The licences were handed over by Sarawak Forest Director Hamden Mohammad to LAKIKR Treasurer Bajuri Jauji and Shin Yang Sdn Bhd Executive Director Andy Wong Ko Hock.

According to Len Talif, to date, 11 entities have received approval to undertake forest carbon activities in Sarawak, while three entities have been issued Forest Carbon Licences covering a total area of 56,000 hectares.

He added that the initiative also supports the Fourth Strategic Thrust of the Sarawak Budget 2027, which is to protect and sustain natural resources, and is in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

Elaborating further, he said forest carbon projects can support forest conservation and restoration, protect biodiversity, attract green investment and create opportunities for local communities.

Len Talif also said the granting of a forest carbon licence empowers the licence holder to develop and carry out approved projects, subject to prevailing legal and regulatory requirements.

"A licence does not automatically qualify a project for the issuance or trading of carbon credits.

"The project must meet the relevant carbon standard requirements, including validation and verification processes by recognised validation and verification bodies, before carbon credits can be issued.

"The department will continue to strengthen forest carbon governance to ensure compliance with legal and technical requirements, while safeguarding environmental and community interests," he said. 

Two monster male crocodiles captured after they took baits laid out along Sungai Lemai, Balingian

MUKAH, Oct 15 2026: Two male crocodiles, measuring 13.1 feet and 14.7 feet, were captured during an on-going operation in Sungai Lemai, Balingian, on Oct 13.

Caption: Personnel from various agencies with one of the captured crocodiles

Sarawak forestry Corporation (SFC) said the crocodile reduction population operations, which began on Oct 12 until 25, involved eight personnel from Sibu and Bintulu, working in collaboration with licensed crocodile hunter Sahari Rapaie, with additional support from RELA, the Balingian Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Balingian District Human-Crocodile Conflict Management Task Force.

The two reptiles were captured on the second day of the operation after they took crocodile baits laid out along Sungai Lemai. Both crocodiles were later taken to the Bederun Festival Site Jetty in Balingian before being relocated.

SFC advised the local residents to avoid approaching areas where crocodile-trapping lines have been laid, and to refrain from disturbing the lines or their floats throughout the duration of the operation.

"The operation will continue until October 25 to allow for the monitoring and management of the crocodile population to be carried out in a controlled manner, in accordance with established standard operating procedures.

"Local residents are advised to remain vigilant when engaging in activities near the river to minimize the risk of untoward incidents," SFC said in statement.

The operation, conducted by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), aims to manage the crocodile population in a controlled manner, with the involvement of relevant agencies to ensure the safety of local residents.

The State Legislative Member for Balingian, Abdul Yakub Arbi, welcomed the operation and emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring to address the risks posed by large crocodiles in areas frequented by the local community.

He suggested that regular monitoring should be extended to other locations around Balingian known to have crocodile activity, saying that high-risk areas should be identified as priority zones and equipped with appropriate warning signs.

"I hope residents will provide full cooperation throughout the operation by not tampering with the equipment installed, and by remaining vigilant when engaging in activities near the river," he said.

He expressed his appreciation to the SFC, the People's Volunteer Corps (RELA), the Balingian Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Balingian District Human-Crocodile Conflict Management Task Force for their commitment to safeguarding the local community.