THE Natural Resources and Environment Bill 2024 empowers the Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB) with broad and necessary powers to take decisive action to prevent and control pollution.
“Pollution is one of the gravest threats to our environment. Air, water and soil pollution endanger the health and livelihoods of our people and they threaten the biodiversity of our forests and rivers.
“By granting the board authority to regulate, license and monitor activities that may contribute to pollution, we are creating a strong deterrent against irresponsible practices,” Kennedy Chukpai Ugon (GPS-Murum) said in support of the bill on the second day of the second meeting of the third session of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday (Nov 12).
Chukpai stated that the provisions will help ensure industries and other entities operating in Sarawak respect its environmental laws and take responsibility for their impact on the environment.
“In particular, Clauses 33 to 37 of the bill address specific forms of pollution control, including restrictions on hazardous substances in our water and atmosphere.
“This specificity is essential because it enables the board to apply targeted measures against particular pollutants.
“It allows us to protect the health of our rivers and lakes from hazardous discharges, safeguard our soil from contamination and preserve our air quality for the health of our communities,” he added.
One of the bill’s unique features, he added, is its provision for community involvement.
“By enabling landowners who benefit from conservation projects to share the costs associated with these efforts, the bill encourages local communities to take an active role in environmental protection.
“Additionally, by allowing affected parties the right to appeal certain decision, we ensure that our environmental policies are not only effective but also fair and inclusive.
“This bill is a model of participatory environmental governance, as it recognises that environmental protection is a share responsibility,” he added.
