Masidi Speaks On Environmental Issues

Masidi Speaks On Environs Issues

By MUGUNTAN VANAR

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun has suggested the use of nuclear energy if bio-fuel or hydro energy cannot meet the current needs of the state's 2.7 million people.

Masidi even suggested the Japanese "cool dressing" method for civil servants as the state stands at a crossroads in choosing energy sources on World Environment Day.

Masidi: We have to look at environment-friendly technology.

In an interview, Masidi talked on issues faced by this part of Asia in view of the United Nations slogan: Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy.

He felt that coal, no matter how "clean" it may be, should be the last resort of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in the face of global warming and climate change.

The outspoken state minister said it was time for Malaysia relook its policy on the use of nuclear power.

Coal, oil and gas are known to be the greatest contributors to carbon emissions," Masidi said, while Sabah decides on TNB's proposal to build a 300MW coal plant in the state.

"We have to look at environment-friendly technology. We have the expertise and we are a responsible country that does not abuse its sovereign rights," said Masidi, who believes that viable alternatives can be found.

He said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) named Malaysia as the 26th largest emitter of greenhouse gases and the 38th best in sustainable environment management of the world's 146 countries.

"Malaysia makes up 0.4% of the world's population but its 27 million people account for 0.6% of global emissions," he said, adding that though the country practised sustainable environment management, it should not rest on its laurels.

Admitting that the state was guilty of emitting smoke from trees and soil during forest clearing, Masidi said, since 1989, the state had committed 16% of its forests to be totally protected.

Agencies like Yayasan Sabah started projects to rehabilitate 25,000ha of logged forests to offset carbon emissions in collaboration with The Netherlands-based Forest Absorbing Carbon Dioxide Emissions (FACE) Foundation.

"The challenge is that Sabah is providing a global service by keeping its carbon stored, and there are mechanisms whereby the state can be compensated for this," he said, adding that the state worked on carbon credit sales in this global service.

As Sabah marks World Environment Day, Masidi is keen to get his cabinet colleagues and government ministers to try the "cool biz attire code" that encourages the ridding of ties and use of short-sleeve shirts to reduce air-conditioning.

Among awareness programmes of his ministry are the promotion of tree planting (one tree can absorb one tonne of carbon) and giving grants of RM1,000 and RM3,000 to schools and NGOs to carry out environmental programmes on World Environment Day.

"The Environmental Action Committee is collaborating with local authorities to promote composting of kitchen and garden waste and recycling," said Masidi, who believes that concerted efforts by the public and private sectors can achieve sustainable environmental management.

"It is a common responsibility of all citizens in this planet. So, it is for all of us to play our parts," he added.

FUEL Price INCREASE

FUEL PRICE INCREASE

Finally the TRUTH is rubbing ON US! We have to pay near-market prices for fuel. As an Environment-conscious being I am not worried about the increases in the fuel prices - BUT I am very concerned about their spiralling effect on food prices, transport and basic shelter.

Unless the government has very good strategic plans to help the poor and needy, the most affected by this steep increase will be the ones who can least afford it.

Prices of food, public transport and low-cost housing must be kept down and affordable.

It is now time, and critically so, for the government to introduce minimum wages. With the expected increase in cost of living it should not be less than RM1,200 per month (RM800 basic + RM400 cost of living allowances) for all sectors particularly the private-sector.

Don't let the people die of starvation or suffer from malnutrition.

Sabah workers, other than in the government sector, receive lower wages but have to suffer a higher cost of living. What is going to happen to them? How do they survive?

And what about the ethnic subsistence farmers slogging in the valleys and up on steep hills? Will they be priced-out of their lives? Will they be able to afford basic necessities?

Sabah leaders should seriously look into good public transport systems all over the state. The City transport system should be greatly improved and subsidised to encourage its use.

Too much of the Nation's wealth has been wasted without the majority of the raayat gaining benefits due to politics and patronage.

The Nation's finances must be more prudently managed and fairly shared among all its citizens.

One way is to get rid of wasteful mega projects.

Another way is to do away with negotiated tenders and go for 'a clean open-tender system.'

Billions of Ringgit may be saved from these which can be channelled towards welfare for the poor and helping farmers and fishermen upgrade and increase our food production.

My personal call to Malaysians is: CHANGE Your HABITS and ADJUST Your LIFE-STYLE BUT at the same time DEMAND transparency and accountability.

In this, I hope our leaders will show the way - failing which, the people could show them the way by VOTING MORE WISELY the next time around.

World Environment Day ... Its Every Day!

World Environment Day ... It's Every Day!

Just as we celebrate our birthdays once a year we HIGHLIGHT the importance of the Environment through WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (Its today - June 5th).

We do not just come alive only on our birthdays.
LIFE is for living and we should Live Every Day!

On the same note let us ALWAYS REMEMBER that the ENVIRONMENT must be NURTURED and 'breast-fed' if necessary - for too often many if not most of us forget the FACT that WE CANNOT be here without the Environment.

So make every day of your life - World Environment Day.

There was a time when we did things out of ignorance BUT now it is sheer indifference, arrogance or utter GREED.

Excessive consumption is overheating Earth and driving it towards its self-destruction. Global Warming is a dark cloud above us that is getting darker and thicker by the day. So, WHAT CAN WE DO?

We need to be moderate in our life-styles.
There's enough in this world for every one's NEED,
But not enough even for one man's GREED! (M. Gandhi)

WE need to check our population growth too.
Our Mother EARTH has a great GOD-given capacity to rehabilitate and rejuvenate itself but it is a limited capacity, in that, we have to respect the laws of Nature - there's a limit to the carrying capacity of any earthly element.

Mega-corporations and conglomerates - the market forces - call policy shots around the world - and to them? ... Every baby born is a consumer, a contributor towards their accumulation of enormous but unnecessary wealth.

It is time for right-thinking men to THINK RIGHT and more importantly to ACT RIGHT!

Wishing Everyone

A Happy World Environment Day,

And Remember, That's, Every Day!

In our endeavour to achieve progress let us not forget:

"Without Man The Environment Will Flourish,

But Without A Liveable Environment WE Will All Perish"