The Nature Conservation Agreement (NCA) in Sabah, which has been a subject of controversy, is moving forward, according to Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. Kitingan, the Deputy Chief Minister I, stated that the agreement with Singapore-based Hoch Standard Pte Ltd to implement the NCA has been settled, and everything is progressing as planned.
When asked if Sabah Attorney General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof was satisfied with Hoch Standard’s fulfillment of legal requirements, Kitingan stated that it was not an issue. He also confirmed that a pilot project for the NCA will be carried out at the Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest Reserve in interior Sabah. Kitingan made these statements at the Heart of Borneo International Conference launch, where he represented the Chief Minister.
In response to queries about Hoch Standard’s compliance with legal requirements, Nor Asiah stated that discussions are still ongoing. Kitingan previously alleged that civil society organizations seeking legal action against the NCA were attempting to disrupt the deal.
Kitingan, who also served as the chairman of the Steering and Management Committee for the Implementation of the NCA, clarified that the Oct 28, 2021 NCA deal with Hoch Standard is still being implemented to meet various international requirements. Hoch Standard has now been taken over by Lionsgate, a company based in the British Virgin Islands.
The NCA deal involves the management of carbon credit sales for two million hectares of forest reserves over a period of 100 years.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
