Sarawak Delta Aspires To Be Msia’s Third Geopark - Premier

KUCHING / 07/10/2024

KUCHING, Mon: Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today expressed optimism that the Sarawak Delta Geopark would  soon become Malaysia’s third United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Global Geopark (UGGp).

He said the park had been targeted to attain global geopark status by 2026 after the completion of an expert assessment by UNESCO to determine its heritage value.

The result of the study would be presented to the UNESCO Board for consideration if all the criteria were met, he pointed out. 

He was responding to questions from the media after officiating at the International Seminar on Sarawak Delta Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark at Riverside Majestic Hotel here, today.

He told reporters that the process would be similar  to what Niah and Mulu underwent before being recognised as UNESCO heritage sites.

“Currently, Malaysia has two UNESCO Global Geoparks – the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark and Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark.

“Our plan is to ensure that development does not compromise the preservation of our environment, particularly in terms of the geopark’s value.

“If Sarawak succeeds, it would be just right, making it the third UNESCO Geopark in Malaysia,” he said.

The Premier pointed out that if Sarawak were granted the recognition, it would bring benefits in terms of education and environmental conservation.

Earlier, in his speech he stressed the importance of promoting quality tourism over mass tourism, noting that environmentally conscious tourists were less likely to harm the environment.

“That’s why, when I was the Minister for Tourism, we focused not on mass tourism, but rather on quality tourism that doesn’t cause harm.

“These are tourists who won’t leave behind plastic bottles and other wastes,” he said.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari also said that Sarawak would use Korea’s Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark as a model in its efforts to achieve the recognition.

“Jeju Island has a rich geological heritage, so we are using it as a model for our own efforts.

“Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh along with his delegation has also visited Jeju Island to ensure that Sarawak Delta Geopark meets the criteria required for the UGGp status,” he added.

For the record, Sarawak Delta Geopark has been accorded the national geopark status during the National Geopark Committee Meeting on 20 June 2022.

With a size of 3,112 square kilometres, it is home to various tribes that inhabit, sustain themselves and cultivate their distinct cultures and traditions, all of which are intricately tied to the region’s wealth of natural resources.

The geological history of the area reflects significant transformations in the Earth’s surface driven by tectonic activities deep in the Earth. 

Sarawak Delta Geopark is located in the West Borneo Block, which is part of the larger Sundaland region, representing a fragment formed from the collision between the Sibumasu Block and the Indochina/East Malaya/West Borneo Block around 250 million years ago, contributing to the geological diversity of international significance.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datu Abdullah bin Julaihi also spoke.

Later, several organisations received certificates of partnership as partners in the development of the geopark. 

Also present were Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Len Talif Salleh and Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine), Dato Henry Harry Jinep.