Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is set to take on a greater responsibility for environmental management under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), with the first phase of the transfer of powers expected to be fully implemented in November.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister (Kepkas) Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the Government is preparing for the transition through new legislation, regulatory guidelines, digital systems and technical capacity building.
He said the devolution of authority will begin with the management of scheduled waste, marking a significant step towards greater State control over environmental governance.
“It will begin with the management of scheduled waste, and the move will be supported through the drafting of new laws and guidelines,” he said when officiating the Environmental Sustainability Symposium, Wednesday.
Jafry added that preparations extended beyond legal reforms, including the development of an online application-based management system as well as programmes to enhance the technical competency of government officers and industry players, aiming to modernise environmental administration and implemented by the Environmental Protection Department (JPAS) under Kepkas.
He emphasised that the State Government remains committed to strengthening environmental management in Malaysia while safeguarding Sabah’s rich natural heritage.
“According to the Environmental Quality Reports, no river in the State had been classified as polluted over the nine-year period from 2016 to 2024 despite continued industrial growth,” he noted, citing the achievement as an example of effective environmental governance.
He also attributed the achievement to close cooperation among government agencies responsible for river management and the strong commitment shown by industry players across the State.
Beyond conservation, Jafry said Sabah has established itself as a national leader in environmental awareness through programmes such as the Environmental Education Race, the Environmental Education Conference, Sekolah Lestari Anugerah Alam Sekitar (SLAAS), tree-planting campaigns held in conjunction with Earth Day and World Environment Day, World Ozone Day and National Environment Day celebrations.
He also noted that Sabah is the only state to organise the Anugerah Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar (Serasi), an environmental recognition award for educational communities.
The two-day symposium, held in conjunction with the 2026 World Environment Day celebration at the State level, carries the theme “Synergy, Technology and Community for a Green Future”.
Jafry said the symposium aims to deepen public understanding of current environmental issues, foster collaboration between industry experts, consultants, technology providers and the public sector, strengthen discussions on environmental law enforcement and showcase innovations and best practices in waste management and renewable energy.
“I hope this symposium will run smoothly, provide participants with a clearer understanding of environmental issues, and achieve the objectives for which it was organised,” he concluded.
Also present at the programme were State Environment Department (DOE) Director Nor Rashidah Mohd Ghazali, Acting Deputy Director-General (Operations) and Director of the Enforcement Division Rosli Zul, Senior Chief Assistant Director Amir Hamzah Musa, as well as Welfare, Sports and Recreation Club Chairman Ts Suffian Julmohamad.
