Call to maintain Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Environmental Trust ( SET) has called on the new federal government to maintain the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, saying this is necessary to help prevent a decline in the state of Malaysia’s forest, wetlands and marine ecosystem.

SET CEO Dr Rahimatsah Amat said the setting up of the ministry was a milestone in improving the management of natural resources and the environment and in line with the practice in most developed countries.

“I’m glad that Pakatan Harapan, in its election manifesto, has pledged to balance economic development with the protection of the environment.

“The ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring that this pledge is fulfilled as some of the key government departments, such as the Forest Department, Department of Wildlife and National Parks and Department of Marine Parks Malaysia, are under its jurisdiction.

“In addition, the ministry plays a key role in linking natural resources management with the states of Sabah and Sarawak,” he told Bernama.

Pakatan Harapan has also pledged to review our country’s environmental policies and regulations to be on par with international best practices, he said.

“We urge the government to include the Department of Fisheries under natural resources and environment, given that the fisheries resources are in our territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ) is in serious decline,” he said. — Bernama