Kuching, 1 February 2024 Thursday - The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak has been tasked with fully taking over the management of scheduled waste in Sarawak by January 1, 2025.

Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Sarawak, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, stated that NREB, positioned as the primary environmental agency in the state, is currently enhancing its resources, including workforce, infrastructure, and working environment in response to upcoming environmental challenges.

He, who is also the Deputy Chairman of NREB, mentioned that the takeover is under the transfer of environmental autonomy of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) from the federal (Department of Environment) to Sarawak.

“So now, with the MA63 discussions in place, we will go into the details progressively.

“We can’t take everything, and over time, we need to look at the capacity and capability to bring in some things.

“So, we look at the legal perspective and every aspect of the activity in terms of the environment and financial aspects because they (federal) didn’t provide us with financial support to carry out the programme.

“And at the same time, it needs to be supported by legislation so that we have the mandate to carry out activities on our own.

“So it has been in progress for the past two years, and according to the schedule, we want to take over on January 1 next year.

“Now everything is in place, and we believe NREB is credible, and we can take over by next year,” he said.

He stated this during a media interview after officiating the Launch Ceremony of NREB Sarawak’s 30th Anniversary at Menara Pelita here on Thursday.

Datuk Len added that among the additional functions to be carried out by NREB are the control of transportation, verification, and inspection of scheduled gases to be exported and stored in Sarawak; monitoring, controlling, and inventory of Greenhouse Gas emissions; carbon levy assessment; and the implementation of strategies, action plans, and incentives towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, he believes that to ensure a better future for the coming generations, NREB continues to collaborate with relevant government agencies in the state to enforce environmental laws and regulations to address issues related to environmental protection and natural resources.

Also present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datu Surveyor (Sr.) Zaidi Mahdi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Sustainability of Sarawak, Abang Ahmad Abang Morni, NREB Environmental Quality Controller, Jack Liam, Deputy Environmental Quality Controller NREB, Paul Bond Chamberlin, senior officers, and staff of NREB. – UKASnews