THE Natural Resources and Environment Bill 2024 will provide a sustainable management of natural resources, guidance on sustainable practices that balance immediate economic benefits with long-term environmental health.
Ketibas assembly Lidam Assan said the Bill enacted will ensure prudent implementation and management of our natural resources which will generate revenue, create jobs, and promote industry while at the same time it prevents wasteful practices that could harm economic stability.
“While we pursue our Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) this Bill protects our citizens from health risks related to environmental degradation.
“For example, laws controlling water quality, air emissions, and toxic waste disposal help protect public health and serve as tools to control Sarawak Natural Resource against any attempt to exploit it.
“We have bad experience during the logjam at Sg Katibas which was due to indiscriminate felling of trees along the river and that debris caused massive clog, murky river and destroyed our fish habitats, leading to a decline in our indigenous fish populations,” he said.
He was debating on the Natural Resources and Environment Bill, 2024 in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
In addition, he said this Bill also provides equitable access to natural resources as it minimises or prevent monopoly so that all citizens benefit.
“Without this law in managing our natural resources it can become sources of conflict when people compete for control, especially the valuable resources like oil, minerals, and water,” he said, adding that with the legal framework it establishes clear ownership and usage rights, helping prevent disputes.
“The potential dispute for control can pose national security and vulnerability endangering our Sarawak position on issues relating to control over natural resources especially energy resources,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the natural resource degradation is influenced by several factors, more often they are interlinked.
“Uncontrolled land use and unsustainable agriculture practices such as converting forests into residential or agricultural land also reduce carbon storage, contributing to climate change which will impact our ecosystem.
“With the establishment of this law governing our natural resources and environment it is hoped that Sarawak will have better control of its resources, preserve its environment and manage its own waste.
“The law will help to preserve the needs of the rural populace who rely on natural resources like clean natural water, wild animal, fishes and other flora and fauna,” he said.
Therefore he said it is important to understand the significance of the Bill and its meaning that helps to safeguard and protect resources such as forests, water, minerals, and wildlife from over-exploitation and pollution as we preserve ecosystems for future generations.
