KUCHING, June 12 — For almost three decades, Malaysia has successfully fulfilled its pledge to maintain at least 50 per cent of its land mass under forest and tree cover, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii.

He said this commitment has been reflected in the preservation of the nation’s forest cover, which currently stands at 54.6 per cent, or 18.04 million hectares, of Malaysia’s total land area.

"At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, Malaysia pledged to maintain at least 50 per cent of Malaysia’s land mass under forest and tree cover.

"I am proud to say that Sarawak is the largest contributor to Malaysia’s overall forest cover, which is 42 per cent, or 7.6 million hectares, out of the total forest cover in the country,” he said during the opening ceremony of a Forest Conservation Conference here, today.

The two-day conference was officiated by Sarawak Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, and would serve as a platform for stakeholders in the conservation and protection of threatened natural ecosystems to share their knowledge and chart the future of the conservation efforts in the permanent forests of Sarawak.

Huang said Malaysia’s journey in achieving sustainable development had always been the government’s priority.

He added that the Malaysia Policy on Forestry and the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025 were instrumental documents which have provided the framework, covering every aspect including ecosystem management, protection and conservation of forests.

"Malaysia has also embarked on a nationwide reforestation programme in fragmented areas to ensure biological connectivity.

"One of them is the Greening Malaysia agenda through the 100 Million Tree-planting Campaign within five years, from 2021 to 2025, with the slogan ‘Our Trees, Our Lives’. As of May 31, more than 60 million trees have been planted nationwide,” he said. — Bernama