MRC S’wak all out to highlight green initiative
SIBU: Malaysian Red Crescent ( MRC) Sarawak branch hopes to plant at least 100,000 saplings in two to three years as part of its effort in greening Sarawak.
Its chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said they had already planted 10,000 saplings so far.
“If you know what the environment is like, and if we do not try to change, tomorrow we might have a ‘ terrible war’. I know this can happen, but we can prevent it. I have just come back from Beijing. Few years back, I could hardly see the sky over Beijing – this time, I could see blue sky.
“China is doing everything possible to make their environment clean,” he said when addressing participants of MRC International Youth Enlightenment Camp at Sacred Heart Centenary Hall here on Sunday.
A total of 225 youths, including those from China, Myanmar and Thailand, took part in the fiveday camp which kicked off on Dec 6 and concluded on Sunday.
Coordinating the event was the MRC Youth Unit of Sacred Heart Secondary School.
MRC Sarawak and MRC Sibu co- run the programme, which
If you know what the environment is like, and if we do not try to change, tomorrow we might have a ‘terrible war’. I know this can happen, but we can prevent it. I have just come back from Beijing. Few years back, I could hardly see the sky over Beijing – this time, I could see blue sky.
was supported by the national MRC and the Ministry of Education.
“China has taken preventive measures such as focusing on hydrogen- powered car, electric car and electric bicycle to counter pollution,” Dr Chan noted.
In Sarawak, he said, the people are very blessed that they can see blue sky every day and breathe fresh air but in many countries, visibility does not go very far due to pollution.
“We want Sarawak to be very clean and green. This is why we have the tree- planting programme.
“We will also roll out waste management programme,” he said, adding that the Chief Minister is encouraging people to use green energy.
“We have already started with hydropower – meaning we would not burn fossil fuel, which pollutes the environment,” he said.
According to Dr Chan, the state is tapping hydrogen power which is non-polluting, and it will not be too long when hydrogen-powered vehicles are seen on the roads.
Meanwhile, Sacred Heart School principal David Teo said the camp provided the participants an opportunity to experience different cultures and values.
“It’s also an opportunity to strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation between these young people; for them to meet and understand their South East Asian intercultural characters.
“It instils in them a sense of humanitarianism,” he said, adding that the participants were encouraged to be agents of change.
Acting Sibu District Education officer Salemah Chale, Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman Robert Lau, national MRC vice- chairman Dato Mohd Rafial Moktar and MRC Sarawak director John Lam were among those present.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Malaysian Red Crescent Sarawak chairman