Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor
KOTA KINABALU (Tues Aug 1): Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah government is keen on venturing into the carbon trade and is currently looking into and fine-tuning the carbon trading deal, as it is beneficial for the state to explore further.
Speaking to the Press after the scholarship Awards ceremony here today, he said, “It is something good for us to explore as we could get lucrative yields through carbon trading.”
It was reported that the volume of credits required globally would increase by at least 20 times, with prices rising between US$80 to US$150 per tonne by 2035.
The ultimate goal of carbon markets is to help entities offset carbon emissions that they cannot currently reduce. The market enables the trading of carbon credits, which could be tech-based solutions like a waste-to-energy plant or nature-based solutions such as reforestation and sustainable forest management.
However, Hajiji said that before proceeding with the deal, they need to delve into further details on the process, areas involved, and other related matters.
Last week, the CSO Platform for Reform, a coalition of more than 60 civil society organisations had urged Hajiji to issue an official statement on the status of the controversial carbon trading or Nature Conservation Agreement (NCA).
On Oct 28, 2021 Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who initiated the NCA, faced backlash from many after the 100-year agreement involving two million hectares of land was secretly signed with a Singapore-based firm, Hoch Standard.
Following the exposure in Feb last year, Sabah Attorney-General (AG) Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof said that the agreement was non-binding and legally impotent.
However, Dr Jeffrey had recently remarked that the deal had never been shelved and AG’s objection was not officially forwarded to the state Cabinet or the steering and management committee for the implementation of the NCA, chaired by him.
Jeffrey had also said that the state had pitched the idea for the carbon exchange centre to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, given the region’s potential for significant carbon market activity.
Last week, 16 native NGOs and Associations in addition to Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) have signed a joint statement to support the NCA and its implementation.
This was after a briefing was made by Mohd Anuar Abdul Ghani, Political Secretary to Dr Jeffrey and the Hoch Standard Pte Ltd team at the Dewan Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Penampang.
They said that after listening to the briefing, they have full understanding of the NCA and give their Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) and support to the NCA.
It is their fervent hope that the people in particular the natives of Sabah who will be affected and involved will get the benefit of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs) of the United Nations.
They urge the State Government to immediately implement the NCA and abide by the 17 SDGs.
Dr Jeffrey said that Sabah government expected to earn RM2.2 billion to RM5.6 billion annually from carbon trading as well as other natural asset monetising deals.
