SHAH ALAM, 5 Jun – World Environment Day is a reminder for us to appreciate and protect the environment, not only in Malaysia, but also for the Earth as a whole.

I would like to take this opportunity to flag some of Selangor’s plans to improve environmental conditions in our state. We are in the process of developing a forward-thinking environmental policy that aims to set in motion solutions to present and emerging environmental problems so that future generations of Selangor’s citizens will be free of them.

We want to be tougher on polluters and more generous to businesses and organisations who green responsibly. We want to reduce our state’s carbon footprints. We want to be transparent and uphold freedom of information for environmental and other matters. We are committed to increasing public participation in decision-making and to uphold human rights, including the right to a healthy environment. As the most industrialised state in Malaysia we recognise our global responsibility to take constructive, appropriate action to mitigate climate change.

We are also firm on conserving environmentally sensitive areas and extending our forest spaces. Forests are not only our ‘green lungs’ and places of beauty, it is also important to preserve them in the fight against climate change.

Government has a responsibility to protect our ecological heritage for the enjoyment, health, and prosperity of future generations. By preserving our existing forests and extending protection to new areas, we can make a positive impact for both Selangor and the Earth.

To this end the Selangor state has made a decision not to allow Forestry Department to renew any past ‘Use Permits’ in forest reserves, and that all proposals be presented to the state exco meetings for evaluation and consideration. My office is working on amendment on existing laws to allow for public feedback before any forest reserve areas is excised.

The state and corresponding agencies are also working towards rebuilding, rehabilitating and regazetting the Banjar Mangrove Reserve, which were excised in the past to private ownership. Other critical programmes include the rehabilitation of the Raja Musa Forest Reserve and the Kuala Langat Forest Reserve, and the gazetting and rehabilitation of the Kuala Selangor Firefly Sanctuary. Other medium-term projects include the massive Klang River cleanup project and on Selangor public transport system.

Climate change is having real and dramatic impacts around the world. Humankind is at a critical tipping point. Either we act rationally, responsibly, and swiftly to stabilise our climate or we risk condemning future generations to an increasingly inhospitable and dying planet.

The youths of Selangor play a pivotal role in the state’s conservation efforts. Without their ardent enthusiasm, ideas and energy, governments left to their own devices would end up wrecking the Earth.

The Pakatan Rakyat government of Selangor will affirm its commitment to the environmental agenda by gazetting more forest areas, mangroves, water catchment and river reserves. We are also committed to working hand-in-hand with the people of Selangor, especially the youths and environmental NGOs, to protect and to nurture our forests, coasts, rivers, air and wildlife.

The residents of Kota Damansara, in their efforts to conserve the 800-acre Kota Damansara Community Forest, has proven to be an excellent example of the power and commitment of residents, NGOs and community groups to play an active role in preserving our ecological heritage. I urge all the citizens of Selangor to draw inspiration from the residents of Kota Damansara and take steps to reduce their impact on the environment, however great or small.

My office wishes to thank the environmental NGOs for their suggestions, advices and critiques. Further I wish to thank the Forestry Department, Department of Environment Selangor, Lembaga Urus Air Selangor and Department of Wildlife and Parks for their success in conservation and rehabilitation of critical environmentally sensitive areas.

The government of Selangor is open to innovative ideas and solutions for our collective problems. We call on the private sector to intensify its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes and share with the state, the enormous financial burden of education, conservation and rehabilitation of the environment, and we firmly commit to serving the rakyat and our environment.

I wish you all a happy World Environment Day.

ELIZABETH WONG
EXCO for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment
ADUN BUKIT LANJAN