KUCHING, May 28, 2025 — Bako National Park in Kuching and Bukit Lambir National Park in Miri have been formally nominated as ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP), marking a major milestone in Sarawak’s ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental conservation and ecotourism.
The nominations were announced by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who also serves as the Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development. He confirmed that the proposed recognitions have undergone evaluation by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), with the final decision expected to be released in September this year.
“These nominations underscore Sarawak’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage,” Awang Tengah stated during the State Legislative Assembly’s winding-up session. He also referenced the recent UNESCO recognition of the Niah National Park cave complex as a World Archaeological Heritage Site as further affirmation of the state’s conservation credentials.
Currently, Sarawak has designated approximately 2.1 million hectares as Total Protection Areas (TPAs), comprising 874,000 hectares of terrestrial ecosystems and 1.2 million hectares of marine environments.
To enhance its conservation framework, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has entered into several key partnerships. These include collaborations with the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) on zoonotic disease research, the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) for biodiversity-related technical cooperation, and Universiti Malaya for genetic research initiatives.
The ASEAN Heritage Parks programme honours protected areas of outstanding ecological and cultural significance across the region. If accepted, the inclusion of Bako and Bukit Lambir National Parks would further cement Malaysia’s position within ASEAN’s conservation network and open new avenues for sustainable tourism in Sarawak.
