
Brunei forest, reef conservation needs shared responsibility: Minister
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Protecting Brunei forests and reefs is not the task for the government alone but a shared mission that requires every one of us to act now, said a Brunei government minister on Tuesday (June 17).
This reinforces Brunei's commitment under the National Biodiversity Policy and Strategic Plan of Action 2024-2030, which aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, said the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Manaf Metussin at the Brunei Conference on Forest to Reef held in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
Sudono Salim, chief growth officer and co-founder of Jejakin, a carbon footprint management platform, as a guest speaker, lauded Brunei for its clean air and said the blue carbon ecosystem, which is naturally captured and stored by coastal ecosystems such as mangrove, helps in climate change mitigation.
The conference focuses on promoting blue and green economic growth, including eco-tourism and carbon markets, while enhancing capacity building, education, and professional networks in biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.
It also supports integrating international best practices and new economic opportunities into national forest-to-reef strategies. - Xinhua
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Malay Mail
19 hours ago
- Malay Mail
13MP: Malaysia sets path to lead SE Asia in digital economy and green tech
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Malaysia has set a clear direction to emerge as a leader in the digital economy and green technology in the Southeast Asian region by 2030, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said generative AI is now within reach and the country is seizing the opportunity by charting a clear course to drive the AI ecosystem through the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan 2030. He said emphasis would be given to the adoption of local technological innovations to spur economic growth through the development of strategic digital assets such as AI, data analytics and government digital systems, alongside the enhancement of research, development, commercialisation and innovation (RDCI) activities based on the 'Made by Malaysia' approach. 'This effort is crucial to strengthen the nation's economic competitiveness, while developing a more sustainable and high-impact industry in line with the aspiration of becoming an AI-driven nation,' he said when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today. The 13MP, themed 'Melakar Semula Pembangunan' (Redesigning Development), outlines Malaysia's five-year development strategy for the 2026–2030 period. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the government is committed to enhancing digital infrastructure to create new economic opportunities and attract strategic investments in the data centre sector. He said this effort will also enable broader access to online digital services across various sectors, including education, e-commerce and smart applications. To accelerate AI adoption across sectors, the government is targeting 5G coverage expansion to 98 per cent in populated and industrial areas, including rural regions, by 2030. This is in line with the commitment to nurture at least 5,000 new digital entrepreneurs. At the same time, to safeguard the digital ecosystem, a digital trust and national data security strategy will be introduced. This includes exploring quantum communication technologies and strengthening regulations through the establishment of a Data Commission and implementation of a national data bank. Key policies and strategies, such as the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy, and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, will be prioritised with a focus on effective execution that benefits the people and industries directly, Anwar said. The Prime Minister also said Malaysia will introduce a Business Digital Identity system and promote the use of 'digital twin' to enhance the competitiveness and innovation of industry players. To build a strong foundation, he said AI literacy programmes will be introduced at the primary school level, alongside efforts to expand local intellectual property, increase strategic funding, and encourage cross-sector collaboration between industry players, research institutions, universities and the country's young innovators. 'This approach will ensure the country's innovation ecosystem grows comprehensively and delivers long-term returns to the economy and the people,' he said. — Bernama


The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Japanese exchange students plan to learn Brunei culture, make new friends
Japanese students Kenshin Gonda and Kenshin Uchiike. - BB/RAFI ROSLI BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Two foreign students in Brunei on an exchange programme said they hope to learn more about Brunei's culture and make new friends. Japanese student Kenshin Gonda, who will be taking business for one year following Universiti Brunei Darussalam's (UBD) August 2025 intake, said he was always curious about what nature offered in South-East Asia and believed Brunei was the perfect place to find this out. He said, 'My ambition is to become a successful businessman one day and I am really interested in what South-East Asia's businesses have to offer. I want to know and learn about the business programme at UBD.' Kenshin Gonda added, 'At first I didn't know much about Brunei. I didn't know the official language was Malay and I am still unable to understand the language. I am really interested in the culture and I appreciate Brunei's pristine nature because I grew up near a river surrounded by nature. This has led me to appreciate nature.' He added that he would also like to travel to other Southeast Asian countries during the holidays. Meanwhile, Kenshin Uchiike who is studying social science at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences said he wanted to come to Brunei to learn and understand the culture of the people here. 'Initially I didn't know much about Brunei. I researched online about Brunei and found out that the main religion was Islam and the official language was Malay. I realised that I could learn a lot of new interesting things in Brunei.' He added, 'I am very interested in music and nature. While in Brunei, I hope to make many Bruneian friends and learn more about the culture and traditions here.' The latest UBD intake included 510 undergraduate, 124 Master, 19 PhD, 133 UniBridge, and nine non-graduating students. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN


The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
Sarawak unity drives sustainable growth towards 2030 vision
KUCHING: The unity of Sarawak's diverse communities remains the cornerstone of the state's progress as it advances towards becoming a high-income and developed region by 2030, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Marking Sarawak Day 2025 under the theme 'Sarawak Maju Makmur' (Progressive and Prosperous Sarawak), he emphasised the state's commitment to inclusive growth through the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'The Sarawak government will continue implementing PCDS 2030 to ensure socio-economic prosperity for all,' he stated in a Facebook post by the Office of the Premier. The Premier also outlined key focus areas, including digital economy expansion, AI adoption, and sustainable environmental practices. Sectors like oil and gas, plantations, tourism, and modern agriculture will receive accelerated development to bolster economic resilience. Education remains a priority, with free higher education in selected fields at state-owned universities starting next year. 'This initiative allows students to focus on their studies while easing financial burdens on families,' he added. Abang Johari reaffirmed Sarawak's dedication to safeguarding its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and thanked organisers for ensuring a successful Sarawak Day celebration in Miri. 'May Sarawak continue to prosper and serve as Malaysia's harmony model,' he concluded. – Bernama