Sabah faces gaps in environmental data that could affect efforts to monitor pollution, assess natural resources and plan conservation measures, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Jafry Ariffin said.

He said the shortcomings were identified during the preparation of the Sabah Environmental Indicator Report 2025, which provides an overview of the state’s environmental conditions.

Jafry said the report covered several key areas, including land use, air quality, water quality, biodiversity and social indicators.

“Although various efforts have been undertaken to ensure the completeness of information in preparing this report, there are still several constraints due to a lack of data or the unavailability of data as a whole,” he said in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday.

He said the challenges highlighted the need for more systematic environmental data collection and better coordination between government agencies.

“This challenge clearly shows the need to develop environmental data systematically and strengthen data coordination between agencies to support more comprehensive and effective environmental planning and monitoring,” he said.

The report, to be launched by the Sabah Environmental Protection Department, is intended to provide a data-based reference for environmental monitoring, planning and strategic decision-making.

Its publication follows a study conducted under the 12th Malaysia Plan to assess the implementation of Sabah’s Environmental Policy Action Plan and Environmental Quality Monitoring Master Plan.

The first Sabah Environmental Indicator Report was published in 2003.

Jafry was speaking at the state-level National Environment Day 2026 celebration at The Palace Hotel on Thursday.

He said the state government remained committed to balancing environmental protection with social and economic development.

The state Environmental Protection Department and the federal Department of Environment are responsible for overseeing environmental protection and monitoring in Sabah.