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KHAZANAH Nasional Berhad today celebrated the World Environment Day, one of the largest environmental programmes under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), at Taman Tugu.
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 and is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment. The theme for this year’s celebration is Only One Earth. This year’s celebration also marks the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment that led to the creation of UNEP.
Taman Tugu, the site for this year’s celebration, is testimony of Khazanah’s commitment to preserving the environment and natural resources, which would support Malaysia in becoming a carbon-neutral nation by 2050.
Launched in 2018, Taman Tugu, an urban forest park located near Tugu Negara, Kuala Lumpur, is a not-for-profit corporate social responsibility initiative led by Khazanah with the support of various ministries and agencies and civil-society organisations.
Amanah Warisan Negara (Awan), a national public trust founded by Khazanah, was subsequently set up to preserve, conserve, manage and operate Taman Tugu.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, launched the World Environment Day celebration at Taman Tugu.
Present were Khazanah Board members, including Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry and Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, Finance Minister.
Also present were Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, Federal Territories Minister, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, oEnergy and Natural Resources Minister, and Datuk Seri Hj Mahadi Che Ngah, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, and members of the Board of Trustees of Awan.
During his speech, Ismail Sabri, who is also Chairman of Khazanah, reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to its target of becoming a carbon-neutral nation by 2050.
“In my keynote address at the recent Nikkei Conference in Japan, I gave my commitment that the government will enact climate change-related legislation towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,” he said.
He added that Malaysia will also work with countries with similar visions through the Asia Zero Emission Community.
According to Ismail Sabri, as part of Malaysia’s commitment, the government, among others, is committed to preserving the natural forest, covering more than 50% of its total land mass.
The government, he added, will also implement natural-based solutions to reduce long-term impact to the environment including the planting of 100 million trees by 2025.
Towards this end, Ismail Sabri commended Khazanah on its role in preserving the 66 acre green lung located near Tugu Negara, which offers a respite to city dwellers and visitors alike.
“Taman Tugu symbolises the commitment of all parties to preserve the country’s natural heritage,” he said.
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Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Khazanah and Chairman of the Board of Trustee of Awan said: “Taman Tugu is one of many societal value initiatives undertaken by Khazanah over the years and forms part of our new long-term strategy under the ambit of Advancing Malaysia.”
He added that Khazanah will continue to undertake other societal value-related initiatives to deliver impactful outcomes for the nation.
“I am pleased to note that through Taman Tugu, we have not only managed to preserve and conserve the country’s flora and fauna but have also provided a recreational space for the public to further foster wholeness, well-being and greater inclusivity among Malaysians.
“This is in line with Khazanah’s societal goal of Building Capacities and Vibrant Communities,” he noted.
To commemorate the event, Ismail Sabri witnessed the handover of the Taman Tugu land agreement from DBKL to Awan. Awan Board of Trustee, Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, received the land agreement from Kuala Lumpur Mayor, Hj Mahadi.
Amirul Feisal thanked the government for committing the land to Awan, an idea which was first mooted by Khazanah in 2017, at the launch of the Taman Tugu project.
“This signifies the government’s commitment in protecting the environment and is a significant step towards ensuring Taman Tugu is preserved for future generations which would position Kuala Lumpur into a more sustainable, vibrant and livable city,” he said.
The World Environment Day celebration at Taman Tugu today is expected to attract about 3,000 visitors and will continue throughout June with a host of activities being planned for the public. The activities planned at Taman Tugu are meant to raise awareness on the conservation, preservation, and sustainability of public green spaces, as well as to enhance and strengthen community building efforts around the park that has attracted over 500,000 visitors since August 2018. – The Vibes, June 5, 2022
