Latest news with #BiodiversityCentre
Barnama
20-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Sarawak Assembly Passes Biodiversity Amendment Bill
KUCHING, May 20 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly here today unanimously passed the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said the amendments aimed to strengthen the state's biodiversity governance, safeguard indigenous rights and unlock sustainable economic opportunities through the commercialisation of biological resources. "This amendment bill will strengthen Sarawak's position in biodiversity governance, reinforce state rights and enable economic opportunities through sustainable resource management," he said when tabling the Bill today. The amendments grant the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) broader powers, including the ability to commercialise intellectual property, apply for external funding, as well as form subsidiary companies to bring research outputs to market. A key component of the Bill is the formalisation of benefit-sharing mechanisms with Sarawak's indigenous communities, ensuring that traditional knowledge used in research and commercialisation is properly recognised and fairly compensated. Sagah said SBC had also adopted blockchain technology to improve traceability and transparency in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreements. He said the Bill significantly enhanced penalties for offences involving unauthorised collection of protected biological resources, ranging from RM50,000 to RM500,000, or imprisonment of two to 10 years or both for offences committed by individuals, and between RM1 million to RM5 million for corporate offenders. A new financial penalty provision allows the SBC Council to impose penalties of up to RM20 million for breaches of the Ordinance, with repeat offences subject to 10-fold increases, while unpaid penalties may be recovered as civil debt with additional charges for late payment. The amendment also updates key definitions, including an expanded meaning of 'microorganism' and a standardised definition of 'native' as per the Interpretation Ordinance, 2005, as well as introducing a provision to allow SBC to provide facilities for commercial activities incidental to the SBC Council's powers.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Baru: Amendment Bill part of Sarawak's vision for leadership in biodiversity research
Baru Bian addresses members of the August house during the DUN sitting today. – Penerangan photo KUCHING (May 20): The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is part of a broader vision to position Sarawak as a leader in biodiversity research, said Baru Bian. The Ba Kelalan assemblyman said through the amendments, this would ensure that the state's resources are protected, respected and beneficial to the people. 'The Bill updates the terminology and scope concerning naturalists and biodiversity experts involved in the (Sarawak Biodiversity) Centre's operations. 'It provides legal clarity for individuals who may not hold formal scientific credentials but possess deep traditional and indigenous knowledge,' he said in his debate on the Bill at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today. He said these individuals play an important role in the documentation and preservation of local biodiversity and cultural practices. 'By recognising their contributions through formal legal language, we strengthen community engagement and respect for indigenous knowledge systems.' He also said that with the amendment of the Bill, Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) would be empowered to establish corporate or profit-oriented entities. 'This provision enables SBC to engage in commercialisation of research and innovation. For example, developing pharmaceutical products, natural extracts, and biotechnological applications based on Sarawak's biodiversity. 'This strategic move aligns with Sarawak's vision to build a bioeconomy and ensure our natural assets translate into tangible benefits for the state, our researchers, and our local communities,' he said. Baru said through the Bill, the state is putting in place mechanisms to ensure that any commercial gains from biodiversity resources are equitably shared with the rightful stakeholders, especially the indigenous communities who have preserved this knowledge for generations. 'At the same time, the Bill introduces a clear financial penalty framework. This is a matter of policy ensuring that unauthorised exploitation or misuse of Sarawak's biological resources will be met with firm legal consequences. 'It is an important addition that signals our seriousness in safeguarding biodiversity from exploitation,' he said. 2025 Baru Bian lead Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
DUN Speaker: Six Bills to be tabled at DUN sitting from May 19 to 28
Asfia (centre) holds up the prepared text of his statement delivered during the press conference. Also seen are Idris (left) and Nur Azhar. KUCHING (May 18): A total of six Bills are scheduled to be tabled during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, which will convene for eight days from tomorrow (May 19) to May 28 at the DUN Complex here, said DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar today. According to him, the six Bills include two Supplementary Supply Bills – the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill, 2025, and the Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill, 2025. Also slated for tabling are the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Land Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill, 2025. 'Two of the Bills are supplementary supply Bills, while the others involve amendments to existing laws, with the exception of the Bill concerning the dissolution of the Development Infrastructure Trust Fund,' he said during a press conference at the DUN Complex new media room here. He revealed that the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill, 2025, the Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill, 2025, and the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill, 2025 will be tabled by Deputy Premier and Minister for Finance and New Economy, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on the other hand, will be tabled by Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. 'The Land Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025 will be presented by Deputy Premier and Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. 'Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, will table the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2025,' he said. Apart from that, Asfia also disclosed that 320 questions have been submitted by 41 assemblymen, comprising 247 oral questions and 73 written ones and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development and the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government received the highest number of questions. Although no private member's Bills or motions were submitted for this sitting, a motion for the election of a member to the Dewan Negara (Senate) will however be tabled on the fourth day of the sitting on May 22. 'The opening ceremony of the sitting will be officiated by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, on Monday, May 19 at 9am, with Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi also in attendance,' he said. Also present at the press conference were DUN Deputy Speaker Dato Idris Buang and DUN Secretary Nur Azhar Bujang. DUN sitting Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar tabling Bill
Times of Oman
17-03-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Barka Biodiversity Centre helps in preserving endangered species
Barka: The Biodiversity Centre in the Wilayat of Barka is one of the main environment projects in the Sultanate of Oman that contributes to preserving the endangered species. The centre was established within the framework of the efforts of the Sultanate aimed to achieve sustainable development and protection of environment heritage. Salim Said Al Maskari, Director of Environment Department in South Al Batinah Governorate said that the centre represents an integrated platform for rescue and protection of biodiversity. The centre offers healthcare in the field of wildlife with the focus on protection of endangered species, he said, adding that the centre contributes to the support of knowledge and expertise related to management of wildlife. He said that the total area of the centre is 33, 000 sq. metres and offers an integrated environment accommodating areas designated for protection of animals and plants besides areas for the facilities including a well-equipped veterinary clinic, equipment for treatment of animals and cages for isolation of animals whenever necessary. Since its establishment, the centre has succeeded in breeding a group of wild animals such as the Arabian gazelle, the oryx, and the sand gazelle, in addition to rehabilitating various types of birds of prey, including the Egyptian vulture, the bald eagle, and falcons. He pointed out that the centre also includes a nursery for Omani wild plants, as it produces approximately 8,000 seedlings annually of local plants, such as samr, sidr, wild ghaf, shoa, and markh. This nursery plays an important role in the national initiative to distribute ten million seedlings of Omani wild trees, which is supervised by the Environment Authority, thus contributing to strengthening the vegetation cover and preserving local plants. It's worth noting that the Barka Biodiversity Centre is a pioneering model of the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to protect the environment and conserve its natural resources. Through a clear vision and specific objectives, the centre contributes to achieving sustainable development and preserving wildlife for future generations. This reflects the Sultanate of Oman's unwavering commitment to protecting its natural heritage and strengthening its position as a pioneering country in the field of biodiversity conservation.
