PM: PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT
Environmental conservation equally important in developing nation, says Dr Mahathir
MALAYSIA will succeed in becoming a developed nation only if there is a balance between physical development and environmental sustainability in the country’s growth.
In his speech at the Earth Day celebration here yesterday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reminded everyone that environmental preservation was as important as efforts to develop the economy and society.
“We can witness the aftermath when there is imbalance in development, which focuses on gaining profit.
“Our efforts to transform the country into a developed nation will not be achieved or recognised by having high-rise buildings, (while) our rivers are polluted, there are no trees left in our forests and the air that we breathe is polluted. Conserving the environment is not only an individual’s responsibility, but a collective effort that must be carried out continuously.”
Present were Tunku Besar Seri
Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz, Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin and Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar.
Also present were Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad and Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh.
Dr Mahathir’s wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, was present.
“Today, we are celebrating Earth Day at Taman Tugu, a 26.7ha green lung located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
“The establishment of Taman Tugu is proof of our commitment to embracing a balanced development between physical development and environmental sustainability.”
The Taman Tugu Project is a non-profit corporate social responsibility initiative led by Khazanah Nasional Bhd, with the support of public agencies and private organisations.
The project aims to encourage Malaysians to protect the natural heritage at Taman Tugu.
Dr Mahathir said Taman Tugu was chosen as the venue for Earth Day celebrations for symbolic reasons.
“I was informed that there are 4,000 trees of various indigenous rainforest species that have been planted at the nursery.
“This is in addition to 1,000 trees at the site. I was informed that Taman Tugu has attracted more than 30,000 visitors, including foreign tourists, since it was open to the public in August last year.”
He said he hoped Taman Tugu visitors would share with their relatives and friends the importance of environmental conservation and protecting the nation’s green lungs.