SARAWAK Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said sustainability was one of the three pillars in reviving the economy following the lean years due to the pandemic.
Besides sustainability, Sim said the state also places great importance on prosperity and social inclusivity policies.
Leading the way was the state forest department, which was instrumental in gaining the UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Sarawak Delta.
The delta area encompasses 3,112 square kilometres in western Sarawak, covering both inland and coastal areas of the biggest state in the country.
Sarawak Delta was the fourth site in Malaysia to attain the global geopark status after Langkawi, Kinabalu (Sabah) and Lenggong (Perak).
Reflecting on his GAGA 2026 recognition, Hamden described the award as an achievement particularly close to his heart because the state is trying to pivot from its reliance on logging activities.
Sim was speaking at the recent Green and Geopark Excellence Award (GAGA) ceremony in Kuching.
During the ceremony, Sarawak Forest Department director Datuk Hamden Mohammad was honoured for his leadership in advancing Sarawak's first UNESCO Global Geopark.
Reflecting on his GAGA 2026 recognition, Hamden described the award as an achievement particularly close to his heart because the state is trying to pivot from its reliance on logging activities.
SMK Lutong Secondary School in Miri clinched the GAGA 2026 green school award for nurturing young environmental champions.
With nearly 700,000 aluminium cans collected over close to a decade, the Miri school demonstrated how recycling initiatives can inspire lasting change beyond the classroom.
Principal Wong Kung Kui accepted the award on behalf of the school.
He said the school embarked on the “1 Student, 1 Can, 1 Week” campaign, which collected an impressive 690,324 aluminium cans between 2017 and December 2025 through consistent student participation.
The initiative forms part of SMK Lutong's “LUGOSS Go Green School” programme, introduced in 2017 to make sustainability part of everyday school life.
“What began as a school-based campaign has evolved into a genuine lifestyle change for many of our students,” Wong said. - October 15, 2026.