Sarawak’s sustainability efforts recognised at GAGA 2026
KUCHING, 7 October 2026: Sarawak emerged strongly at the Green & Geopark Excellence Awards (GAGA) 2026, with the State’s government agencies and education sector receiving multiple accolades for their sustainability efforts.
The Forest Department Sarawak was among the individual award recipients, with its director Datu Haji Hamden Haji Mohammad receiving the Sustainable Forest Stewardship Award.
The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) also received recognition for the Longest Sustainable Event Excellence – Rainforest World Music Festival Award, presented to its Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor.
The recognition highlighted the sustainability efforts associated with the Rainforest World Music Festival, one of Sarawak’s flagship international events.
Kuching’s two city councils were also among the major Sarawak winners.
Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU), led by Mayor Dato Haji Hilmy Haji Othman, secured four awards, namely the Circular Economy Pioneer Award, Nature-Based Solution Award, Sustainable Urban Innovation Award and Environmental Policy and Governance Award.
Hilmy was also honoured with the Distinguished Smart City Innovation & Digital Transformation Leadership Award.
Meanwhile, Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (MBKS), under Mayor Dato' Wee Hong Seng, received five awards, namely the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Award, Environmental Education and Awareness Award, Smart Green Infrastructure Innovation Award, Green Technology Innovation Award and Community Circularity Pioneer Award.
Wee also received the Outstanding Sustainable City Transformation Leadership Award.
The Miri City Council, represented by its mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang, received two awards — the Zero-Waste Community Initiative Award and Green Building of the Year Award.
Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA), represented by its CEO Datuk Haji Ismawi Haji Ismuni, received the Aspiring Sustainable Infrastructure Award.
In the education sector, SMK Lutong, represented by principal Wong Kung Kui, received the Outstanding Green School & Circular Economy Education Excellence Award.
The strong showing by Sarawak saw its local authorities, government agencies, and education sector recognised across a broad range of sustainability areas.
Beyond Sarawak, the City Council of Penang Island was among the other major recipients, winning the Green Organisation of the Year Award and Green Building Certification Excellence Award. Its mayor Dato' Ir. Rajendran P. Anthony, also received the Local Government Sustainability Leadership Award.
Other individual recipients included Dato' Seri Ir Jaseni Maidinsa, Chairman of Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad, who received the Sustainability Transformation Leadership Award; Dato’ Cheok Lay Leng, General Manager of Penang Hill Corporation, who received the Outstanding Sustainable Destination & Biosphere Stewardship Award; and Dr Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari, a Global Geopark Network Executive Board member and Deputy General Manager of Langkawi Port, who received the Excellence in Geopark Network Leadership & International Cooperation Award.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, represented by its founder Dr Wong Siew Te, received the Top Green Tourist Attraction Award, Tropical Charters received the ESG Compliant Travel Operator Award, and TUI BLUE The Haven Ipoh was recognised with the Most Alluring Geopark Abode Award
Sarawak’s Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian was a guest of honour at the ceremony, which also showcased a Sustainable Fashion Show, featuring a special performance by Dion Das Louis, the acclaimed 10-year-old traditional dancer from Sarawak known as the “Little Bornean Birdie”.
Fresh from the international stage, Louis is celebrated for winning two gold medals at the 2024 World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in the United States and a silver medal at the 2025 Dance World Cup in Spain, where his traditional Iban Ngajat performance captivated audiences on the global stage.
The Green & Geopark Excellence Awards (GAGA) is an international platform established in 2025 to recognise environmental leadership and sustainable geopark management. The event serves as a platform to encourage greater collaboration and participation among stakeholders in advancing sustainability and green initiatives in Sarawak. Kuching makes a fitting venue for GAGA 2026, following Sarawak Delta’s recognition as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark network.
The awards were held alongside the Zero Waste Management 2.0 Conference, bringing together green advocates and stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including participants from Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. The dual event provides a platform to recognise climate action while sharing practical solutions and approaches towards advancing environmental sustainability.
