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and the Philippines (RM 65 million).
On sustainable environmental management, Len Talif said pexels-ugurtandogan
up to the third quarter of this year the Natural Resources and
Environment Board (NREB) had received 61 Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and 15 Environmental
Management Plans (EMP).

“Of these, 46 EIA reports and 15 EMPs have been approved,
while 15 EIA reports are still at various stages of assessment.”
For context, EIA is a legal requirement and a key instrument
to ensure sustainable development in Sarawak. To ensure
compliance with EIA approval terms and conditions, Len said integrity, transparency and effective implementation,” he said.
the NREB had conducted 918 post-EIA monitoring activities Following the introduction of the Ordinance and its regulations,
and received 1,857 Environmental Monitoring Reports (EMR) Len Talif said several initiatives had been implemented, including
between January and October 2025. nine Forest Carbon Study Permits covering 231,983 ha of
“Monitoring results identified 87 cases of non-compliance, forested land with seven new applications currently under

for which notices were issued. During the same period, 14 consideration.
investigation papers were opened, while eight cases were In addition, a Forest Carbon Licence covering 25,675 hectares
compounded, amounting to RM 150,000.” had been issued and a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
In response, Len Talif said the NREB is enhancing the between Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Mubadala
standard operating procedures for post-EIA monitoring and the Energy, Abu Dhabi, on NbS and blue carbon potential was
Guidelines for EMR Submission and Evaluation to strengthen signed last year.
monitoring and compliance processes.

Launch of an e-Removal Pass System
Customary rights and carbon The Sabah Forestry Department launched the e-Removal
Owners of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land that has Pass System, a new digital platform designed to strengthen
been gazetted can apply for a Forest Carbon Study Permit the management, monitoring and transparency of the State’s
to participate in carbon credit and reforestation initiatives in forest produce transfer process, particularly for logs.
Sarawak. Chief Conservator of Forests, Frederick Kugan, said the
According to Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and new system replaces the existing manual process with a
Urban Development this initiative forms part of the state’s fully digital method enabling all applications, approvals and
efforts to reduce carbon emissions through Nature-based monitoring of Removal Passes to be conducted online.

Solutions (NbS). He said the system was developed to provide more accurate
“In Sarawak, this initiative has been strengthened through and auditable reporting and ensure complete traceability.
the enactment of the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse He noted that the development of the e-Removal Pass
Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023 and the Forests (Forest System aligns with the State Government’s aspirations under
Carbon Activity) Rules 2022. These regulations require all the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), which emphasises digital
carbon projects to comply with internationally recognised carbon technology adoption, enhanced integrity and sustainable
standards including Verra and the Gold Standard to ensure forest management.