‘Nation needs to groom experts in biodiversity, climate change’
SERDANG: The country needs to have continuity in grooming experts in climate change and biodiversity, or it will keep going back to retraining new individuals.
Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said his ministry had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, adding that the latter understood the urgent need for this.
“Often times, when we get an experienced subject matter person, they move position or are promoted to a different field. After that, it’s a whole new process to train someone else. This has to change, as there is no continuity.
“The prime minister understands that we need to have a group of people who are subject matter specialists, who could form a committee.”
Xavier was referring to the importance of being in a better position to defend Malaysia’s stance in relation to climate change and biodiversity.
He said this after launching the National Seminar on Physical Modelling Application and Technology (PHYMAT) and Hydraulic Invention and Innovation Show (HYDRAULIIS) 2018 at the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM).
During the event, NAHRIM announced its entry into the Malaysia Book of Records for having the “Largest Rainwater Harvesting System for Laboratory”.
Present at the event were NAHRIM deputy director Mohd Fauzi Mohamad and Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Dr Tan Yew Chong.
Xavier said Malaysia had to build these subject matter specialists so that they could concentrate on their individual fields.