24 January 2008

Environment Desk of FOMCA would like to comment to the statement made by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. The minister of Natural Resources and Environment has called for a council on environmental issues. It is timely that all the Ministers, Menteri Besars and Chief Ministers sit together to talk about these issues.

FOMCA believes that this will be a great achievement in the field of environment. However, we urge the minister to consider the council to set up committees representing stakeholders such as, government agencies (which carries out directly environment related responsibilities), consumer groups, industrial groups, environmental NGOs, etc.

This will allow a good feedback mechanism from respective stakeholders. Eventually these feedbacks can be communicated in a national deliberation. Then it can be merged into a workable National Action Plans.

This council with its stakeholder committees should look beyond and plan for 20 years action plan with a review after every five 5 years. This will allow Malaysia to set better targets in improving our environmental status to contribute to global fight against environmental degradation. We also should bear in mind, that a lot of developing nations which looks upon Malaysia as an example. We should set good benchmark for them to follow as well.

We would like to suggest, that the YB minister should make available the outcomes of the council and its committees deliberations for the public participation. We need all Malaysians to be a part of saving and preserving the environment of our beloved country. Future is in our hands.