Latest news with #NREB
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Sarawak braces for hot, dry weather as southwest monsoon hits; authorities on high alert for bushfires
Uggah says all divisional and district disaster management committees have been instructed to prepare for the ongoing southwest monsoon phase. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 30): The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast hot and dry weather conditions for Sarawak starting from the second week of June, said State Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said all divisional and district disaster management committees have been instructed to prepare for the ongoing southwest monsoon phase. 'Bushfires could break out due to the situation,' he cautioned when chairing an SDMC meeting here on Thursday. He added that the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Miri Municipal Council, and other relevant agencies have been placed on high alert, especially in fire-prone areas such as Kuala Baram. He emphasised the importance of maximising the use of lookout towers and ensuring all tube wells are fully operational. 'The NREB should fly their drones when any signs of smoke are detected there,' he said, while issuing a stern warning to landowners against open burning. 'We will take action against them (landowners) if this happens. In a nutshell, all must be fast and effective in responding to any bushfire occurrences to minimise the impacts and damages,' he said. On a related note, he revealed that the state cabinet is set to decide whether individuals who refuse to evacuate to flood relief centres will remain eligible for the government's compassionate assistance fund, known as Wang Ihsan. 'They may have their reasons, but we need to establish clear criteria,' he explained. 'For instance, a longhouse may be inaccessible due to flooding and the victims are given food ration – but are they still entitled to receive the financial aid?' He also disclosed that some 21,000 victims were identified during the last flood event. bushfires douglas uggah embas dry hot weather lead SDMC
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sarawak completes first phase of environmental autonomy transfer under MA63
KUCHING: The first phase of transferring environmental autonomy from the federal government to the state government under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) has been completed. Deputy Premier Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the first phase involves the management of scheduled wastes. "The aspects of industrial effluent management, air quality control, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management will be taken over in the next phase," said Awang Tengah, who is also the state Urban Development and Natural Resources Minister, during his winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly today. He added that the state government is currently drafting new regulations to strengthen enforcement of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance 2024, which was passed during the last Sarawak State Legislative Assembly session. Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has adopted a new organisational structure starting from July 1 last year and has conducted 32 joint enforcement operations with the state Department of Environment. He also said that NREB has completed the development of the Scheduled Waste Management Module within the Sarawak Environmental Information System (EnvISS), which serves as a monitoring and data management platform for scheduled waste. Guidelines and work manuals for Scheduled Waste Premises and Scheduled Carrier licences have also been provided. "NREB has further enhanced the competence of its officers through courses such as the Certified Environmental Professional in Scheduled Waste Management (CePSWaM), Certified Person in Scheduled Waste Sampling Protocol (CePSWaSP), scheduled waste management, and oil spill handling," he said.
Borneo Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak delegation conducts benchmarking visit to National Environment Agency in Singapore
The delegation in a photocall during the visit to NEA in Singapore KUCHING (May 6): A 22-member delegation from the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the Ministry for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) recently conducted a benchmarking visit to the National Environment Agency (NEA) in Singapore. The delegation was led by the Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak Datu Jack Liam and MEESty's Development and Sustainability Division head Elizabeth Dato Nyomek. Also participating in the visit were representatives from Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains). According to a statement by NREB, the visit aimed to strengthen Sarawak's capabilities in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions monitoring, data management and analysis, regulatory enforcement, and the adoption of waste-to-energy (WTE) solutions. 'It forms part of the broader strategy to implement the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance, 2023 and support Sarawak's aspiration to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 'The main objectives of the visit were to understand NEA's Emission Data Monitoring and Analysis (EDMA) system for managing and monitoring GHG emissions and to gain insights into enforcement and compliance mechanisms related to GHG emissions. 'It also aimed to explore waste-to-energy technologies and operations at the TuasOne Waste-To-Energy (WTE) Plant and foster collaboration between NEA and NREB in strengthening regulatory frameworks in Sarawak,' the statement said. Throughout the two-day programme, the delegation engaged in in-depth knowledge sharing with NEA on regulatory frameworks, reporting requirements, EDMA system and third-party emissions verification. In addition to the sessions with NEA, the delegation toured the TuasOne WTE Plant, where they were briefed on the plant's incineration process, air pollution control, and energy generation system. The visit concluded with a technical discussion with Horsol Switz Engineering Asia Pte Ltd, during whivh delegates further explored the technical and economic aspects of WTE implementation. NREB also stated that discussions highlighted how such facilities contribute to landfill reduction and energy recovery, supporting circular economy principles. 'With the insights gained, NREB is taking proactive steps to enhance its GHG monitoring, reporting and enforcement strategies in alignment with global standards,' the statement said. NREB said the benchmarking visits helped develop a deeper understanding of emissions governance, data management, and WTE technologies. It reaffirmed Sarawak's commitment to fostering international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy innovation in addressing climate change and environmental sustainability.
Borneo Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
NREB unveils auditor guidelines for carbon reporting under new emissions law
Participants listen attentively to a presentation during the stakeholder engagement session. KUCHING (May 1): The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) hosted a stakeholder engagement session to introduce the upcoming Guidelines for the Qualifications and Registration of Accredited External Auditors Rules 2025 at a hotel here yesterday. The session began with an opening remark by Controller of Environmental Quality Datu Jack Liam. Also present were Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) chief executive officer Busiai Seman, Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) Development and Sustainability Division head Elizabeth Nyomek, along with representatives from business entities in the energy and oil and gas (O&G) sectors, and auditing firms. According to a press release, the initiative is part of NREB's ongoing efforts to implement the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023, which came into force on March 1, 2024. The Ordinance mandates business entities in designated economic sectors to submit annual carbon emission reports, which must be verified by Accredited External Auditors in accordance with Section 6(3). The engagement session brought together stakeholders from the O&G and energy sectors, audit firms, and key strategic partners. The Qualifications and Registration of Accredited External Auditors Rules 2025, effective May 1, outlines the critical requirements for the accrediting external auditors. 'The session aimed not only to clarify key requirements but also to actively involve stakeholders by seeking feedback, addressing concerns, and gathering valuable perspectives,' the press release read. 'These contributions are essential to ensure the guidelines are practical, effective, and fair ― ultimately supporting successful implementation of the Ordinance.' The event also featured a demonstration of the Greenhouse Gas Management System (GHG-MS) prototype by SAINS, a digital platform that streamlines business and auditor registrations and renewals. 'NREB remains committed to continuous stakeholder engagement to ensure its regulatory frameworks are both practical and impactful as Sarawak continues to lead in advancing environmental sustainability initiatives,' it added.
