Land Code amendment ‘timely' in protecting Sarawak's natural wealth
Wong Soon Koh. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (May 20): The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 is a timely measure to safeguard Sarawak's natural wealth while balancing economic development and environmental protection, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.
He expressed his firm support for the amendment, but noted concerns raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen over Clause 3, which introduces harsher penalties for those found extracting, removing or transporting rock materials without a valid licence.
However, Wong brought up Clause 4 of the Bill, which empowers the Director of Lands and Surveys to issue licences for the export of rock materials from Sarawak.
'In doing so, we must ensure that resource extraction contributes meaningfully to the state's economy, while also maintaining environmental sustainability and our long-term sovereignty over Sarawak's natural wealth,' he said when debating the amendment Bill in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Wong pointed out that rock materials such as granite, limestone, silica sand, kaolin clay and even rare earth elements were of high commercial value domestically and internationally.
He said given their depletable nature, he urged that exports be tightly regulated and aligned with Sarawak's constitutional right to manage its own land and resources under Article 95B(3) of the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
'Once these materials are gone, they are gone forever. That's why we must set annual limits on how much can be extracted and exported.'
Thus, he stressed that all exports must be licensed and subject to strict Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), with operators held accountable for rehabilitation and pollution control.
In addition, he proposed that a special resource fund be established, financed through export duties and royalties, to support infrastructure development and environmental conservation.
Wong also advocated for exploring local processing of certain rock materials before export, as part of Sarawak's push for downstream industries, which would help generate employment and spur domestic economic growth.
'Before every licence is issued, we must assess whether the rock material can be processed locally. This would create value-add opportunities and benefit our local communities.'
Emphasising the need for effective enforcement, Wong called for stringent monitoring mechanisms to track the movement of rock materials and to clamp down on illegal mining and exports.
'The Land Code (Amendment) Bill represents a significant step in asserting Sarawak's control over its land resources. If implemented responsibly, the export of rock materials can yield long-term benefits for the people of Sarawak today and for future generations,' he said.
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