KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and Sarawak Timber Association (STA), through its training arm STA Training Sdn Bhd (STAT), recently concluded a training programme aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Natural Resources and Environment (Audit) Rules, 2008.
According to a statement on Thursday (July 4), it was conducted in two tranches from June 10 to 14, and July 2 to 4, and the closing ceremony was graced by Environmental Quality Sarawak controller Jack Liam.
In his address, Jack highlighted the importance of the Natural Resources and Environment (Audit) Rules 2008, formulated under Section 18(q) of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance (Chapter 84 Laws of Sarawak 1958 Edition).
“There’s a need for greater self-accountability among developers and project proponents to adhere to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Terms and Conditions and other regulatory directives through self-assessment and self-regulation.
“The full implementation of the Rules for the forestry sector in Sarawak, effective from 1st July 2024, is anticipated to foster a culture of self-regulation among companies, leading to improved compliance with environmental laws and reducing the enforcement burden on regulatory bodies.”
He also highlighted that with the conclusion of this batch of training, NREB has trained a total of 198 internal and external auditors since the programme’s inception in 2013, underscoring their dedication to building capacity and fostering expertise in environmental compliance.
The training, led by Justine Jok Jau and Peter Sawal, encompassed a comprehensive eight-day training that provided participants with essential knowledge and practical skills to conduct effective environmental compliance audits.
The programme included in-depth presentations on relevant laws and regulations, delivered by deputy controller Rahmah Biak, and an introduction to the Natural Resources and Environment (Audit) Rules, 2008, by environmental control officer in NREB’s Compliance and Enforcement Division, Mathew Losey,
Certificates of attendance were also presented to the 29 participants.
