KUCHING, Sept 14: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Stakan chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok agrees with the call by social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye that the climate change bill be brought forward and tabled in Parliament as soon as possible to ensure legislation is in place in Malaysia to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
Sim emphasised the fact that numerous disasters happening all over the world like in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and China is a clear indicator that climate change should be a top priority matter that Malaysia should deal with.
“We should not care who is tabling the bill because it has presumably been carved out of data from reliable agencies in Malaysia and when tabled, the rakyat will then know the direction it proposes to take.
“If the bill is good and addresses the pressing issues we are faced with like floods, landslides, drought and others, then the bill will help us address climate change meaningfully and begin to shape a Malaysia which will be conducive for the future generations,” he said in a statement today.
Environment and Water Minister Dato Sri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had, on Monday (Sept 12), said the ministry was hoping to complete the draft of the climate change bill by the end of this year and table it in the Dewan Rakyat by 2023.
The new law, he said, would strengthen all relevant institutions and enable the ministry to hire more staff to tackle climate change.
Sim pointed out that the tabling of the bill should not be delayed as now is the opportune time with the support from both the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government and the Opposition.
“If there is a sincere determination to address climate change then the minister should not delay and use this opportunity to deliver something meaningful to all Malaysians that will secure the future of our people.
“When La Nina hits Malaysia we will be faced with so much uncertainty and danger so a meaningful bill passed now or soon will help address this,” he said.
Sim also urged for the implementation of United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be brought forward to ensure protection and preservation of the environment for future generations.
“We cannot anticipate an act of God but with the correct framework in place, we can begin to at least avoid future major catastrophes,” he added. — DayakDaily
