Does Malaysia have substantial green voters?
ONE of the existential and futuristic challenges we face in Malaysia is climate change.
It is worrying that Malaysians in the political scene, seem to be either clamouring for the politics of development and stability, or politics that seem to project a reformist and anti-corruption stand or supporting a youthful party that is yet to portray a distinct feature that would challenge the social economic ideology of the older political parties.
I watched Channel News Asia (CNA) recently and was impressed by Singaporean citizen’s endeavor to make the city-state a green state.
CNA launched the CNA Green Plan Challenge, a five-part infotainment series which follows residents from 15 Singapore towns as they navigate green challenges designed to debunk common misconceptions about sustainable living.
It follows residents as they participate in challenges themed around the five pillars of the Singapore Green Plan 2030: City in Nature, Resilient Future, Energy Reset, Green Economy and Sustainable Living.
What is unique about this programme is citizens themselves undertaking initiatives to green the city-state shows that greening the country is not merely an elite politicians plan and responsibility, but an endeavour that could empower common citizens to green their neighbourhood and assuming political responsibility in the process.
This ultimately makes Singapore a city-state with green voters who would shoulder the electoral responsibility in convincing the government of their seriousness in protecting the city-state from the implications of climate change.
The question is does Malaysia have a similar programme around its own cities and rural areas where it would help ingrain a green culture among voters in this country that could transform our ethno-religious feudal political culture to a culture of sustainable living and development?
The Association for Welfare Community and Dialogue envisions a strong Labour and green movement in the country that would help create substantial green voting citizens.