Proposed carbon capture bill not applicable to Sabah, says Kitingan

 

Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan said it was not just about preserving the rainforests but also providing much-needed funds and opportunities for indigenous people. (AFP pic)

KOTA KINABALU: The proposed new Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Bill to be tabled in Parliament later this year will not be applicable to Sabah, says deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan.

Kitingan, who is also the state agriculture, fisheries and food industry minister, said there was a clear separation of jurisdiction constitutionally.

He said land and forestry matters were placed under the State List, and as such, they were the responsibility of the Sabah government.

He said Sabah had signed an agreement to generate carbon credit sales income for the state from its two million hectares of tropical forests, while preserving them.

“It’s not just about preserving the rainforests but also providing much-needed funds and opportunities for the indigenous people in Sabah.

“At the same time, it complies with many of the 17 United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).

“They include gender equality, zero poverty, clean water and sanitation, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, protect and promote sustainable ecosystems, and halt biodiversity loss,” Kitingan said in a statement here today.

On May 21, economy minister Rafizi Ramli said his ministry had tabled a memorandum to the Cabinet to pave the way towards a comprehensive legal framework on CCUS initiatives.

Rafizi said a standalone CCUS Bill would be tabled by year end, while pushing for bilateral agreements.

Kitingan said with its own carbon reduction programme, Sabah was well advanced and well-positioned to take responsibility for its carbon credit potential through its own land and forestry laws.

“The state is in the process of enacting its own carbon capture and utilisation laws as well as updating the Forest Enactment 1968, including making carbon forest produce,” he said.

He said the socio-economic benefits of Sabah’s carbon credit programme was in line with the state’s vision under the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan 2021-2025.

The deputy chief minister said Sabah and Sarawak’s position was that it was not necessary for the CCUS to be extended to the Borneo states, which was made known to the national climate change council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on June 14.

On May 23, Sarawak energy and environmental sustainability deputy minister Hazland Abang Hipni said the proposed CCUS Bill would not be applicable to the state, and that the Sarawak government believes state laws should govern the development of CCUS locally. - FMT