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Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak must harness natural, technical strengths to tackle climate crisis, says deputy minister
Dr Hazland (centre) receives a memento from Misnu witnessed by Dr Abdul Rahman (second left), Mual (right) and Zaidi. – Photo by Matthew Umpang KUCHING (July 30): Sarawak must fully harness its abundant natural resources to balance climate change mitigation with economic development, said State Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni. 'Sarawak is blessed by Allah Ta'ala with both nature-based and technical-based solutions for climate change mitigation. 'It would not be very smart for Sarawak not to capitalise on all these natural resources that have been entrusted to us,' he said during the closing ceremony of the 'International Seminar on Humanity and Climate Change Crisis: A Multidimensional Perspective' at the Islamic Complex Hall here today. The seminar was jointly organised by the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) and aimed to explore the intersection between faith, science and sustainable development amid the global climate crisis. Dr Hazland spoke about Sarawak's vast carbon storage potential through its forests and depleted oil wells, which could store up to 10 billion tonnes of carbon — including an estimated one billion tonnes from its land-based carbon sinks and a further nine billion tonnes from offshore storage through Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology. 'Our forests, mangroves, and peatlands cover 62 per cent of Sarawak's 12.5 million-hectare landmass, which is equivalent in size to Peninsular Malaysia or England,' he said. With major hydroelectric dams such as Batang Ai, Murum, Bakun, and the ongoing Balleh project serving as a foundation for the state's green energy drive, he commented that Sarawak's rivers have also been key to its clean energy initiatives. He also praised the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, calling him the 'chief caliphah' driving Sarawak's transformation. 'This is the turning point. Our leaders recognised the value of hydroelectricity even in the 1970s. Now, we are expanding that with floating solar panels and renewable hydrogen development. 'Our Premier has the vision and courage to explore uncharted waters. With our natural and technical resources, we can pursue our dream of balancing sustainability and economic growth,' he said. He cited the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 as a roadmap guiding this transformation upon three pillars—economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social inclusivity. Meanwhile, Dr Hazland also touched on the state's four-pronged framework for achieving its green goals, comprising regulatory, technical, financial, and human resource components. He thus encouraged all stakeholders, including religious and academic institutions, to support the state's efforts by integrating environmental ethics and spirituality into education and policymaking. 'From legal frameworks to green financing, from technology partnerships to human capital development, all are in place. Our Green Economy Policy, Hydrogen Economy Roadmap, and Sustainability Roadmap are already being implemented,' he said. 'This seminar (for example) should not be the end of the discussion. Let it be a launchpad for further collaboration, community outreach and bold policy decisions,' he said. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Project Coordination for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, MIS president Datuk Misnu Taha, Sarawak Islamic Religious Department director Mual Suaud and IKIM deputy director-general Mohd Zaidi Ismail. Dr Hazland Abang Hipni economic development natural resources
Borneo Post
25-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
I-Syariah marks milestone in digital transformation of Islamic judiciary in S'wak
Awang Tengah strikes the gavel as the gimmick to inaugurate the convention. Looking on are (from left) Misnu, Mohamad Asfia, Awang Suhaili and Dr Abdul Rahman. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (June 25): The newly introduced I-Syariah system will serve as a central integration point for Syariah information systems across Sarawak, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. He said the initiative by the Sarawak Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSS), developed in collaboration with Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), marks a major milestone in the state's digital transformation of its Islamic judiciary. 'I-Syariah is a smart digital platform that integrates various components of the state's Syariah judiciary services, and is built upon digital technology and artificial intelligence. 'This is not merely a technical transformation. It reflects the high commitment of JKSS in supporting Sarawak's digitalisation agenda,' he said when officiating at the Sarawak National Syariah Convention (KoSKeS) 2025 at the Sarawak Islamic Complex Hall, here yesterday. Awang Tengah said the system would significantly strengthen e-Government services by enhancing online accessibility, enabling digital case management, and ensuring safe and integrated data handling, all of which align with the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030. He also emphasised that I-Syariah not only speeds up administrative tasks such as marriage registration and case processing, but also serves as a digital bridge connecting citizens to the Syariah courts both locally and internationally. Nevertheless, he pointed out that while the system harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI), it must be used responsibly by those operating it. 'AI holds vast potential for assisting in reference searches, analysing cases, compiling documents, and producing quicker data-driven judgments, but more importantly, these technological advances must remain aligned with Syariah principles and the values of Maqasid Syariah, with justice at the core.' Awang Tengah said that the system is a foundational step toward creating a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem, propelling Sarawak toward its goal of becoming a high-income state by 2030. 'We want I-Syariah to become a model of advanced, just, and holistic smart Syariah governance, but also one that unites Islamic values with the strength of modern technology,' he said. In his speech, the Deputy Premier expressed hope that KoSKeS would serve as a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange and regional cooperation among Syariah judges, academics, researchers, and policymakers. The convention, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS), gathers delegates from across Malaysia, as well as neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei. Awang Tengah highlighted that the theme of this year's convention, 'Digital Revolution in Syariah Judiciary of Sarawak', was timely as the world enters the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He said the Syariah judiciary must take a strategic role in leveraging technology, especially AI, to remain efficient and relevant. 'With the efforts by JKSS and partnerships with local universities, Sarawak is poised to lead in Syariah judicial innovation,' he said. Among those present at the event were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, MIS president Datuk Misnu Taha, and Sarawak Syariah Chief Judge Datu Awang Suhaili Ledi. Awang Tengah Ali Hasan digitalisation I-Syariah lead Syariah courts
Borneo Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
S'wak mosque cooperatives urged to go digital, tap wider markets
Misnu (third right) presents the certificate of participation to a representative of Masjid Darul Ulum Taman Desa Ilmu, Kota Samarahan. KUCHING (May 30): Mosque cooperatives should embrace digitalisation to better distribute and market their products, said Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) president Datuk Misnu Taha. He stressed that digitalisation can enhance the reach of cooperative goods and products, potentially opening access to both national and global markets. 'To strengthen cooperatives, we need people who understand digital technology. That is why we have to take in young people in reaching this goal,' he said during a knowledge discourse programme, themed 'Empowering Masjid Kariah' at a hotel here. In this regard, Misnu urged the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) to create a platform for educating people on ways to use the digital tools to generate profit. 'We must make efforts to ensure that mosques have their own financial resources, and not only rely on donations from the people.' He also revealed that MIS will organise the Masjid Kariah Cooperative Award ceremony next year to encourage excellence and innovation among mosque cooperatives in growing their businesses. Malaysia Cooperative Institution (IKMa) director-general Mohd Zaib Mat Yunis, who was also present, added that IKMa Sarawak plans to implement three workshops focusing on the development of Masjid Kariah cooperatives. 'The planned follow-up workshops include the Strategic Management Workshop, Targeted Technical Workshop, and Records and File Management Workshop.' He said a total of 650 programmes across the country are set to commence in 2025, with 60 of these programmes scheduled to take place in Sarawak—all of which will encompass a diverse range of focus areas. 'These include 21 Cooperative Leadership Development Programmes (PIMPIN), aimed at enhancing leadership capacity within cooperatives; 18 Basic Cooperative Business Programmes (CoopBif), designed to build foundational business skills; 11 Cooperative Advisory Service Programmes, providing hands-on guidance and mentoring; and 10 Youth and Community Cooperative Programmes, focused on encouraging active participation of young people and local communities in cooperative activities.' These initiatives, he explained, reflect IKMa's commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of cooperatives in Sarawak through targeted education, training, and community engagement. digital lead misnu taha Mosque cooperatives
