NEWS & UPDATE

LUNDU
27 JULY 2026

Sarawak Energy, together with members of the local media, planted 600 indigenous trees at Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary in support of ongoing forest restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts in Sarawak.

Organised by Sarawak Energy in collaboration with Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), the Sarawak Energy Media Tree Planting Programme involved about 70 participants, including some 40 media practitioners from Sarawak-based media organisations as well as Sarawak Energy’s senior leadership and staff.

The programme is part of Sarawak Energy’s Tree Planting, Protection and Habitat Restoration Campaign 2021 to 2030, which aims to plant and protect 500,000 trees by 2030. The campaign is implemented across selected conservation areas in Sarawak, including national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, supporting habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation.

Since the campaign was launched in 2021, Sarawak Energy has planted and protected more than 260,000 trees across Sarawak. More than 12,700 trees had been planted in 2026 prior to today’s programme, with the 600 trees planted at Samunsam adding to this progress.

The programme gave members of the media a closer look at habitat restoration and the practical work involved in conserving biodiversity at Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary. Their participation also provided useful first-hand context for communicating environmental issues and conservation efforts to the wider public.

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili said the programme provided an opportunity for Sarawak Energy and the media to contribute to environmental conservation while strengthening their longstanding partnership.

“The media plays an important role in helping the public better understand issues such as energy, sustainability and environmental conservation. Today’s programme gives us an opportunity to go beyond communicating these efforts and work alongside one another in support of conservation.

“This effort also involves SFC and local communities, reflecting the shared responsibility of caring for Sarawak’s natural environment,” said Sharbini.

He added that the programme served as a meaningful reminder that development and environmental conservation must continue to progress together for the benefit of Sarawak and future generations.

Seven indigenous tree species were planted during the programme: Engkabang (Shorea sp.), Pelajau (Pentaspadon motleyi), Bintangor (Calophyllum sp.), Ubah (Syzygium sp.), NyatohTembaga (Palaquium leiocarpum), Resak (Cotylelobium burckii) and Dedap (Erythrina variegata).

The planting of diverse indigenous tree species supports broader forest restoration efforts by enhancing ecological diversity and strengthening the resilience of the forest landscape over the long term. As the planted trees mature, they will absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and contribute to climate action.

Sarawak Energy’s tree planting collaboration with SFC began in 2022 at Sama Jaya Nature Reserve and has since expanded to selected Totally Protected Areas, including Bukit Lima Nature Reserve, Piasau Nature Reserve, Rajang Mangrove National Park and SamunsamWildlife Sanctuary. By the end of 2025, the collaboration had resulted in the planting of 36,214 trees from about 30 species.

Haji Madhan Kiflie, SFC Deputy General Manager (Conservation), who also serves as Deputy Controller of Wild Life, Sarawak, said the programme demonstrated the value of collaboration among government, the corporate sector, media and local communities in restoring forests and addressing climate change.

“The seven species selected are important food sources for wildlife and will help accelerate habitat recovery. Programmes such as this show how different sectors and communities can contribute together to meaningful conservation outcomes,” said Haji Madhan, who represented SFC General Manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran at the event.

Gazetted in 1979, Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary is Sarawak’s first wildlife sanctuary. The 22,798-hectare sanctuary, located within the Gunung Pueh Reserved Forest in Lundu, is managed by SFC as a Totally Protected Area.

Sarawak Energy continues to incorporate environmental sustainability into its operations and social investment initiatives, supporting broader efforts to conserve biodiversity and protect Sarawak’s natural environment for the future.