KUCHING: Sarawak is ramping up efforts in carbon storage and environmental sustainability with an emphasis on ocean surveys and seabed technology.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stressed the need for advanced seabed mapping to locate potential carbon storage sites and other valuable resources within the state’s continental shelf.

“In order to effectively manage carbon storage, we must be able to accurately survey our seabed and identify specific locations, which demands the latest technology.

“In this regard, I have requested the Land and Survey Department to collaborate with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. We have allocated RM5 million to the university for research and to train competent surveyors in seabed surveying,” he said.

He said this during the 20th anniversary dinner of the Land Surveyors Board Sarawak last night (Oct 28).

Abang Johari expressed optimism that Sarawak’s technological advancements in this field would enhance its environmental sustainability objectives.

On the topic of agriculture, he highlighted the importance of policy reforms in the palm oil industry, pointing to waste byproducts as potential economic assets.
A lot of waste that can be done as economic activities including production of fertiliser, as well as the production of wood pallets and that becomes a source of biomass for us to produce energy,” he said, advocating for a transformation in palm oil management.

The Premier also said RM5 million has been allocated for research in partnership with Ta Ann Holdings Berhad, with an additional RM5 million set aside for Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak to drive innovation and sustainability in the sector.

Meanwhile, he announced a land grant for the Land Surveyors Board Sarawak in conjunction with its 20th anniversary.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datu Abdullah Julaihi, chairman of the Land Surveyors Board Sarawak Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood, president of the Association of Consulting Licensed Land Surveyors Sarawak (ALCS) Datuk Sudarsono Osman, and general manager of the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) Datu Sr Zaidi Mahdi.