TECHNICAL VISIT TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE UNDER THE FIRE-PRONE PEATLAND AREA MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME IN PEKAN, PAHANG BY THE DEPUTY STATE SECRETARY OF SARAWAK AND THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT BOARD (NREB) SARAWAK

Pahang 28 Aug 2025 Thursday - Deputy State Secretary of Sarawak (Administration) Datu Buckland Bangik in his capacity as the Secretariat of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) led a delegation from NREB for a technical visit to the Infrastructure Under the Peatland Management Programme to Fire-Prone Areas in Pekan, Pahang earlier today.

The objectives of the visit were to learn about DOE Pahang’s operational frameworks and enforcement practices related to open burning and peat fire prevention; explore successful initiatives and infrastructure implemented under relevant environmental programs; and foster closer cooperation between NREB Sarawak and DOE Pahang for future collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.

The briefing session was chaired by YH Dato’ Ali Syahbana bin Sabaruddin, Deputy State Secretary of Pahang (Development). DOE Pahang was represented by Director Mr. Zakaria Bin Ahmad, Senior Head of Deputy Director Mdm. Noor Shahniyati Binti Ahmad Shukri and Environmental Control Officer Mr. Muhammad Hamizan bin Abu Hassan. Also present were representatives from Pahang Fire and Rescue Department, Pahang Forestry Department, Pahang Mineral and Geoscience Department, Department of Irrigation & Drainage Pahang and Meteorology Department Pahang. 

The delegation was briefed on the Operation of Plantation and Forest Fires in Pekan, Pahang, Peatland Management, Peatland Fire Prevention Infrastructure — Drainage Blockage and Implementation of Pilot Project for the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on Peatland Fire Prevention in the State of Pahang.

Both parties also deliberated on matters including disaster management in peatland areas, potential related outreach programs and specifications on infrastructure such as check dams.

After the briefing session, the delegation was given a tour of the fire-prone peatland management programme at Kg. Cenderawasih and Pekan Permanent Forest Reserve.

Also in attendance from NREB was AC Marinni binti Datuk Haji Khir and SECO Mitchell Bay Samuel, as well as Special Administrative Office Diana Corazon Blikau of the DSS (Administration) Office.