In order to achieve sustainable development through integrated spatial planning, Sabah has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WWF-Malaysia. The state will collaborate with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia through the Town and Regional Planning Department (TRPD) to promote sustainable development practices.
Sabah aims to achieve balanced and livable environment through the coordination of different land uses, such as housing, transportation, industry, recreation, agriculture, and natural resources. Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also the state Local Government and Housing Minister, emphasized the importance of integrated and holistic spatial planning.
By creating an integrated plan, Sabah seeks to ensure that land and resources are sustainable, equitable, and efficient. This will help the state deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits, as well as create stable and predictable conditions for investment and development. Joachim highlighted the significance of spatial planning in addressing risks caused by climate change such as sea water rise and extreme weather events.
Joachim commended WWF-Malaysia for their sustainable development efforts in the state, including their support for fully protecting and conserving natural forests. Moving forward, Joachim stated that his ministry will work closely with WWF-Malaysia and other stakeholders to prepare the necessary documentation for achieving the objectives of spatial planning. He called upon all stakeholders, state agencies, and local authorities to collaborate to achieve this objective.
To safeguard essential forest habitats and prevent displacement of key species like the Bornean orangutan and Bornean elephant, integrated land-use planning applies nature-based solutions. WWF-Malaysia’s Sabah Landscapes Programme advocates for integrated land-use management within priority landscapes to reduce land-use conflicts caused by encroachment and forest conversion for agriculture.
WWF-Malaysia’s conservation director Dr Henry Chan explained that this MoU is part of the programme’s Living Landscape approach. Through the approach’s three pillars – Protect, Produce, and Restore – the programme focuses on protecting forests, wildlife, and freshwater ecosystems, promoting sustainable palm oil production through certification, and establishing wildlife corridors for forest restoration.
The MoU between the TRPD and WWF-Malaysia will support and review the Sabah Structural Plan 2033 and the Town and Country Planning Ordinance (Sabah Cap. 141). It will also aid in the preparation of district plans for Tawau, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Beluran, and Kalabakan. Additionally, an integrated spatial planning approach is crucial for addressing climate change effects and ensuring the resilience of built environments.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
