Page 412 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

404 USEFUL INFORMATION
Protecting the
Environment
By Professor Dato’ Dr Mazlin Bin Mokhtar, FASc & Dr Minhaz Farid Ahmed Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), UKM
Legislation and Regulation
Malaysia is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, blessed
with an incredible number of endemic plant and animal species. To preserve this remarkable biodiversity, the Government of Malaysia has focused on legislating for environmental conservation since the 1960s. This process began with the 1st (1966-1970) and 2nd (1971-1975) Malaysia Plans, yielding the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA 1974). Following the EQA
The 620-meter Skywalk at Sepilok’s Rainforest Discovery Centre near Sandakan, Sabah. It offers fabulous views of birds, flying squirrels and (occasionally) orangutans.
1974, the National Policy on the Environment 2002 (DASN 2002) was prepared and revisited and updated in 2021 by the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) to ensure environmental sustainability while driving for economic growth. The National Policy
on Climate Change 2010 was also prepared in line with the EQA 1974 and DASN 2002 to combat uncertainties arising from climate change and man- made activities.
As a signatory of the Paris
Agreement in 2015, the Government of Malaysia
is determined to ensure comprehensive environmental governance for the country’s sustainable development journey while integrating both the “whole of government” and “whole of society” approaches. Therefore,
KASA, in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), prepared the Environmental Governance Roadmap for the country during 2021. Entitled Environmental Sustainability in Malaysia 2021-2030, it addresses the four main themes of empowered governance, green growth, strategic collaboration and social inclusion and calls for a National Environmental Commission to harmonize policy implementations between Federal and State Governments. Similarly,
the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025) emphasises climate change adaptation and mitigation measures,
Minister of Environment and Water YB Dato’ Sri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan
Man (centre, with other VIPs) viewing the Opening Ceremony of the Virtual International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2020.