Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has always prioritised the environment, recognising it as both an integral part and a strategic pillar of sustainable development, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew. In her speech, Liew emphasised the need for policies that incorporate environmental considerations and standards into all development activities to ensure both social and ecological sustainability.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ongoing implementation of the Action Plans under the Sabah State Policy on the Environment 2019, carried out by various government agencies, reflects the state’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship. Liew highlighted that the Sabah State Policy on the Environment, launched in 2017, serves as a guiding framework alongside the Environment Protection Enactment 2002, reinforcing the state’s dedication to ecological preservation.
The text of her speech was delivered by the ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mary Isidore Malangking. Liew emphasised that environmental education is a dynamic process crucial for building awareness, knowledge, and skills on environmental issues, ultimately driving behavioural and attitudinal changes that support conservation and sustainable management.
To address the complex challenges of environmental education in the state, Liew noted that the Sabah Environmental Education Policy was developed and officially launched in November 2009. This policy serves as a vital platform to align stakeholder efforts in implementing comprehensive and effective environmental education initiatives, making Sabah the first state in Malaysia to have such a policy.
Liew also highlighted several key milestones that have advanced environmental education in Sabah, including the launch of Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar (SERASI) in 2003 and the establishment of the Sabah Environmental Education Network in 2005. These initiatives have been pivotal in fostering a culture of environmental consciousness among the state’s residents.
In a related development, the Environment Protection Department of Sabah recently conducted a study titled ‘Development of Educational Materials and Best Practices Report on the Implementation of the Sabah Environmental Education Policy’. This study produced educational resources aimed at strengthening environmental education delivery, including videos, learning modules, board games, and a compilation of best practices tools. These resources are designed to make environmental education more engaging, impactful and accessible to a wide range of target groups.