Effective monitoring of Malaysian environment

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Minister of Natural Resources an Environment YB Datuk Douglas Unggah to improve the monitoring, the coordination and the enforcement of the laws on environment in the country.

On 4.8.2011, Dr Tan comments on the statement by the Sabah State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun that there were enough guidelines for the authorities to make a difficult, but right decision.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib and his Minister Datuk Unggah have made much publicity out of the Klang River project. We wish they go all out to monitor, coordinate and enforce the laws on environment so that there is true priority to nature. We need development. But, it does not mean the destruction of nature.

Datuk Manun has been told of the clearing of nearly 4 hectares of mangrove forest and the reclamation of the wetland in Mengkabong. There are many other destructive activities. Just look at Mount Kinabalu and Sipadan. How effective is the enforcement of environmental laws? What happens to solid waste in Mt Kinabalu? How much is left of the coral reefs in Sipadan?

Let the minister show us the environmental preservation in these sites? What happen to others such as Kenyir, Bakun and the national forests?

Looking at all the dead rivers in Malaysia such as the Klang River and those in Penang and Johor, we wonder how the Prime Minister and his Minister are going to explain to us. It is true that all must cooperate. Civic consciousness must be cultivated. But, the Government must lead by example.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw