Awang Tengah: Sarawak Forest Dept leads state's green, digital transformation

KUCHING (Oct 21): The Sarawak Forest Department continues to play a leading role in driving the state’s green and digital transformation through sustainable forest management, technological innovation and international collaboration, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

Speaking at the department’s 2024 Excellent Service Award (APC) and Retiree Appreciation Ceremony last night, Awang Tengah said the department is central to Sarawak’s efforts to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

“Through innovation and initiatives such as the Enterprise Forest Information Management System (EFIMS) and the Sarawak Logs Tracking and Forest Revenue System (REVLOG), the department has shown that Sarawak’s public service is ready to embrace the digital era with transparent, efficient and high-integrity systems,” he said.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, said the department’s digital transformation reflects the Sarawak government’s broader agenda to modernise public service delivery.

Over 1,000 government services are now being digitalised, including permit applications, geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite-based forest monitoring.

“These efforts ensure that forest management in Sarawak remains traceable, data-driven and accountable, while supporting the state’s green economy and sustainability goals,” he added.

He also emphasised that the department’s success stems from its commitment to sustainable development, pointing to international certification of more than 1.6 million hectares of forest under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) and Sarawak’s pioneering move as the first state in Malaysia to introduce forest carbon licensing.

Awang Tengah further highlighted the state’s achievement in surpassing its target for the 100 Million Trees Campaign, with over 50 million trees planted as of July this year, as well as the Sarawak Delta Geopark’s Green Card status from the Unesco Global Geoparks Council — key milestones in the state’s conservation and restoration agenda.

He said the department’s international partnerships with institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, Harvard University, Osaka University and Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) have positioned Sarawak as a regional leader in tropical forest research, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

Awang Tengah also expressed appreciation to retirees for their contributions in laying the foundation for the department’s progress, and urged younger officers to continue their legacy through innovation, integrity and service to the people.

He said officers and staff should remain committed to excellence and continue embracing innovation to ensure Sarawak’s forests remain a symbol of sustainability, prosperity and pride for the state.

Among those present were Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi, Sarawak Forest Department director Datu Hamden Mohammad and other senior government officials.