Sabah's forests power Malaysia's carbon credit push – Arthur Kurup

 By Olivia Miwil

March 5, 2026 @ 11:46pm

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Kurup says the state contributes some of the largest forest reserve areas in the country. – NSTP pic

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah plays a pivotal role in Malaysia's climate strategy due to its vast forest reserves, which act as crucial carbon sinks.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Kurup said the state contributed some of the largest forest reserve areas in the country.

"We need strong cooperation from the state so that we can maintain and expand these protected areas while increasing our carbon credit resources," he told reporters after the Communications, Education and Public Awareness session at a hotel here.

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The Pensiangan member of Parliament also highlighted Sabah's legislative steps, adding that the state passed the Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025 in the State Legislative Assembly last year.

He said Sabah hosted one of the country's recognised carbon credit projects covering about 83,000ha of Kuamut Rainforest. 

"So far, it has produced more than 80,000 carbon credits, which have been successfully traded through the Bursa Carbon Exchange," he added. 

At the federal level, Arthur said the government was finalising the National Climate Change Bill (Rupin), which is under review by the Attorney-General's Chambers before submission to the cabinet and tabling in the upcoming Parliament session in June.

He added that Malaysia was preparing the National Carbon Market Policy to establish a framework for carbon credit trading and to create economic value from conservation efforts.

"With cooperation between the federal government and the state, I am confident we can expand this market and work together to achieve our target of carbon neutrality by 2050," he said.

Arthur also emphasised the government's push for broader participation in initiatives such as the Low Carbon Cities Framework, which encourages collaboration between government bodies and the private sector to reduce emissions through solar energy adoption, reduced reliance on private vehicles, and greater use of public transport.

"Participation from Sabah, including private sector partners, is still very low. We need to increase involvement, including from rural areas," he said.