NABAWAN: Sabah’s extraordinary biodiversity places the state at the forefront of global conservation efforts, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said.
Speaking at the state-level flag-off of the Integrated Khazanah Operations (OBK) at Dewan Terbuka Nabawan here, he said the state possessed some of the world’s most valuable ecological assets.
He noted that Sabah and Sarawak together host more than 12,000 plant species — over 80 per cent of Malaysia’s more than 15,000 recorded plant species.
Among Sabah’s notable natural features, Arthur said, is the world’s tallest tropical tree, Shorea faguetiana, standing at 100.7 metres in the Danum Valley Conservation Area.
He added that Sabah’s ecosystems are uniquely rich, with mangrove forests covering about 73 per cent of the state’s 1,800-kilometre coastline — the highest proportion in the country.
The state has also gained international recognition for its conservation areas, including internationally important wetlands in Kinabatangan-Segama and Kota Kinabalu, the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, and the Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve, which was recognised in 2025.
Arthur said Sabah is home to iconic wildlife such as the orangutan, Bornean banteng and pygmy elephant, all of which face increasing threats.
He said these natural assets reflect Malaysia’s status as one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world.
“Our country, Malaysia, is among the seventeen nations richest in natural resources. This is no small matter because the world sees us as a highly valuable treasure trove,” he said.
He stressed that conservation efforts must not be left to the authorities alone.
“The responsibility of protecting this natural heritage does not rest solely on the government. It is the responsibility of all of us,” he said.
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