‘M’sia fully committed to Paris accord’

KUCHING: Scientific evidence has indicated that in the next 83 years, Malaysia would have already been severely affected by global warming.

According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, high emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from vehicles and other machinery is changing the climate and now, it becomes unpredictable.

In this respect, he said Malaysia expressed ‘profound regret and deep concern’ over the latest decision by the US to abandon the consensus on the Paris Agreement.

He viewed the current US administration had effectively reversed the decision of the previous administration, which represented a serious setback on the hard-won compromises made by all parties to enhance the full and effective implementation of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change.

As the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally – at 18 per cent – and with a per-capita level that far exceeds the global average, the US has a moral obligation to continue taking the lead in addressing climate change and its numerous impacts on the global scale.

Having ratified the Paris Agreement, which itself embodies the spirit of continuous progression and no backtracking when it comes to addressing climate issues, the action by the US calls into question the sincerity and good faith upon which all multilateral agreements are negotiated and agreed upon.

“Having committed ourselves to the spirit and letter of the Paris Agreement, Malaysia fully aspires to tracking, reporting and achieving the intensity targets expressed under its National Determined Contribution,” Wan Junaidi, who is Santubong MP, spoke at a ‘buka puasa (breakof-fast) event with Muslims of Kampung Senari near Kampung Bako on Friday evening.

On another matter, the federal minister acknowledged that some states in Malaysia lack supply of treated water and it is within this premise that he advised the people against wastage and pollution of natural resources.

“The government spends billions of ringgit to look after water and food supply of the people. We all must avoid wastage and pollution.

“On this note, I believe that environment education should be absorbed into the school syllabus and those in universities,” he said.

Later, Wan Junaidi gave away cash aid to 420 individuals comprising people with disability, orphans and senior citizens from 14 villagers across Kampung Bako.

Having committed ourselves to the spirit and letter of the Paris Agreement, Malaysia fully aspires to tracking, reporting and achieving the intensity targets expressed under its National Determined Contribution. — Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Natural Resources and Environment Minister