‘We need to work together to combat threats of climate change’ – Sarawak deputy premier

SARAWAK wants to collaborate with their peninsular counterparts on sustainability policies to combat the threats of climate change.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian said all states, regions, and the world must come together to arrest the prevailing effects of climate change.

Failure to do so could lead to unwarranted deaths, said the Batu Kawah state assemblyman.

"We need to adopt strong green policies collectively before the weather turns on humanity,” he said.

Sim said that Sarawak is not interested in the greenwashing concept of all talk but no action-oriented policies.

"We need to learn and act together and co-exist well to fight climate change. Both our counterparts in the peninsula and us must come together to find solutions or face extinction due to the severity of the weather."

Sim said this at the recent Second Green and Geopark Excellence Awards (GAGA) in Kuching.

He also presented awards to 26 individual and group recipients from both the peninsula and Sarawak.

Sim said that protection of the environment is one of the three pillars of the present government's administration.

Besides attaining prosperity and social inclusivity, sustainable policies are the driving forces in the country's largest state, Sim told his audience, who also comprised many technocrats from the peninsula, especially Penang.

"The civil service plays a major role in helping us ward off the ill effects of degradation. And if they do a good job, we may reward them with higher bonus payouts."

Sim said that Sarawak is aspiring to be the best in everything the state undertakes, including in healthcare.

Despite the challenges of brain drain and political uncertainties, he said the state remains steadfast in its commitment to help the state grow in tandem with its size and relatively small population of 2.5 million. - October 9, 2026.