Putrajaya: The Federal and Pahang state governments are committed to strengthening strategic cooperation in natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change initiatives to ensure environmental sustainability and long-term prosperity. This commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail to Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup in Putrajaya today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the meeting served as a platform to strengthen cooperation, particularly in ensuring sustainable natural resource management. In a Facebook post, Arthur highlighted that Pahang continues to lead states in Peninsular Malaysia by maintaining 56.36 percent forest cover of its total land area. This effort is supported through an RM18.477 million allocation under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) this year as an incentive for biodiversity and protected area conservation.
Arthur further mentioned that the ministry remains committed to ensuring the development of Pahang's mineral industry, including bauxite and rare earth elements (REE), is carried out with strict governance, accountability, and high safety standards. Cooperation between the Federal government and the state government will continue to be strengthened to support Lipis Geopark's bid for UNESCO Global Geopark status by 2027 while enhancing preparations for official recognition of the Aspiring Maran-Chini Geopark.
To address human-elephant conflict and protect endangered wildlife, the ministry is continuing mitigation initiatives, including the Kota Gelangi Elephant Electric Fence System (SPEG) project. Arthur emphasized that community welfare also remains a priority through initiatives such as the Community Rangers Programme (BP3), involving veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Orang Asli community, as well as the Property Loss Assistance scheme (BKHT) for affected residents.
He added that the approval of the National Carbon Market Policy marked a new phase in developing a high-integrity carbon market, which is expected to drive low-carbon technology investments and create green job opportunities.