DoE signs MoU to tackle environmental issues in Sarawak
KUCHING: Nine organisations have inked a memorandum of understanding ( MoU) with the Department of Environment ( DoE) with the objective of tackling various environmental issues in Sarawak.
The nine are Kota Samarahan Industrial Training Institute (ILT),PPKSIlmuSdnBhd,Sarawak Energy Bhd ( SEB), Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Shell Bhd, Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, Asean Bintulu Fertiliser Sdn Bhd, Sejingkat Power Corporation Sdn Bhd and X-Fab Sarawak Sdn Bhd.
The signing ceremony at a hotel here yesterday, where DoE Sarawak was represented by its acting director Amirul Aripin, was witnessed by DoE director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Kamarulnajuib Che Ibrahim.
With the participation of all, we can heighten public awareness of the need and importance to protect our environment, especially in Sarawak.
Ahmad Kamarulnajuib told reporters later that the MoU would signifiy DoE’s role in enhancing smart and strategic partnerships with those from the private sector and also other agencies.
On the nine new partners, he said they would collaborate with the department in carrying out environmental conservation programmes.
“With the participation of all, we can heighten public awareness of the need and importance to protect our environment, especially in Sarawak,” said Ahmad Kamarulnajuib, adding that among the upcoming key activities to be run under this partnership would be the Earth Day this April 22, the National Science Day this April 27, and the National Environment Day this Oct 21.
He said the nine partners would shoulder the obligation of organising these activities, and should participate directly this year.
“We can carry out these activities in a more systematic way; thereby creating more impact on the society, particularly in Sarawak,” he said.
“They (partners) will have their own targets, and the DoE does not have to be involved in these activities. This is why we are having anchors from the private sector and other agencies.”
In his speech earlier, Ahmad Kamarulnajuib said among the programmes that had been implemented in Sarawak were the ‘ Enviro Run Programme and Aerobathon’ last year, run in collaboration with the SEB, F& N Beverages Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Central Cold Storage Kuching Sdn Bhd, Nestle Manufacturing ( M) Sdn Bhd and Mydin Petra Jaya.
For the National Environment Day this year, he said DoE Sarawak would roll out various programmes slated for engaging the community in environmental preservation.
“I hope to see more people being aware of the importance of environmental preservation and that the government delivery system is further enhanced to achieve a win-win situation for all,” he added.
Datuk Dr Ahmad Kamarulnajuib Che Ibrahim, DoE director-general