(Kuching, 14th) Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari stated that Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar has responded positively to Sarawak and Sabah's call for a fair share of carbon trading revenue.
He said the Putrajaya government holds a positive stance towards the positions raised by both Borneo states, that any carbon revenue mechanism, including the carbon tax system that may be implemented in the future, must fairly acknowledge the contributions and rights of states that own and manage vast forest resources.
"Last week, we had a meeting with the Prime Minister, and he was quite willing to listen to the views expressed by the states, including Sabah and Sarawak.
"The distribution of revenue is a very sensitive issue. Therefore, we discussed that even if the federal government imposes a carbon tax in the future, it must treat states with oxygen-producing resource assets fairly.
"In this regard, I believe the federal government is willing to ensure that we can obtain a fair source of revenue from carbon trading."
Abang Johari stated this last night (13th) when delivering a speech at the 21st Malaysian Forestry Conference (MFC) in 2026. The conference was broadcast live via the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) Facebook page.
He further pointed out that since forests, land, and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) are under state jurisdiction, cooperation between the federal and state governments must be strengthened.
"According to our Constitution, forests belong to the state governments, land belongs to the state governments, and even carbon capture, utilisation and storage fall under state jurisdiction.
"Therefore, in managing resources that fall within the scope of state authority, the federal and state governments must maintain a harmonious cooperative relationship."
In 2023, Sarawak passed the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Ordinance to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, promote carbon reduction measures, and establish a legal framework for carbon credit activities within the state.
The ordinance officially came into effect on March 1, 2024 (except for Part Four), covering the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon credit units, carbon trading, as well as activities related to greenhouse gas reduction, abatement, capture and storage.
Earlier, on June 28, Abang Johari suggested that if the federal government levies a carbon tax, 70% of the revenue should be returned to Sarawak and Sabah.
"Last week, we had a meeting with the Prime Minister, and he was quite willing to listen to the views expressed by the states, including Sabah and Sarawak.
"The distribution of revenue is a very sensitive issue. Therefore, we discussed that even if the federal government imposes a carbon tax in the future, it must treat states with oxygen-producing resource assets fairly.
"In this regard, I believe the federal government is willing to ensure that we can obtain a fair source of revenue from carbon trading."
Abang Johari stated this last night (13th) when delivering a speech at the 21st Malaysian Forestry Conference (MFC) in 2026. The conference was broadcast live via the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) Facebook page.
He further pointed out that since forests, land, and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) are under state jurisdiction, cooperation between the federal and state governments must be strengthened.
"According to our Constitution, forests belong to the state governments, land belongs to the state governments, and even carbon capture, utilisation and storage fall under state jurisdiction.
"Therefore, in managing resources that fall within the scope of state authority, the federal and state governments must maintain a harmonious cooperative relationship."
In 2023, Sarawak passed the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Ordinance to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, promote carbon reduction measures, and establish a legal framework for carbon credit activities within the state.
The ordinance officially came into effect on March 1, 2024 (except for Part Four), covering the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon credit units, carbon trading, as well as activities related to greenhouse gas reduction, abatement, capture and storage.
Earlier, on June 28, Abang Johari suggested that if the federal government levies a carbon tax, 70% of the revenue should be returned to Sarawak and Sabah.