PM launches 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday planted a Merbau tree in the garden of his official residence, Seri Perdana, to kick off the 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign 2020-2025.
In his speech, the premier called on the people to participate in the campaign and ensure the success of the agenda to make Malaysia green.
“To all Malaysians, let’s come together to ensure the success of the Greening Malaysia agenda by planting 100 million trees across the country by 2025,” he said when launching the campaign, as well as its mobile app and special website www.100jutapokok.gov. my.
Also present were Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Deputy Minister Ali Biju, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd
Zuki Ali and Energy and Natural Resources Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zurinah Pawanteh.
The campaign was also launched simultaneously at the state level with the theme ‘Greening Malaysia: Our Trees, Our Life’.
In a statement, Muhyiddin said the 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign was part of the Greening Malaysia Programme, one of the national agendas for addressing climate change and improving the quality of life of people.
He said the programme would preserve the biological diversity which is an invaluable national treasure while improving the quality of the environment and rivers.
“The Greening Malaysia Programme is also a pledge and commitment of the government based on the Shared Prosperity
Vision to contribute to a greener future,” he said.
The campaign, organised by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources with cooperation from the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, state forest departments, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia and state governments, aims at having 100 million trees planted across the country over the next five years.
Muhyiddin said through the campaign, the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia estimates an increase of 20,000 to 80,000 in preserved forest areas by 2025.
“The campaign is expected to contribute to the absorption of carbon by plants by between 30 million tonnes in urban areas and 85 million tonnes in the forest and other areas a year,” he said. — Bernama