Speed up tabling of Climate Change Act, says environmental expert

KUALA LUMPUR – An environmental expert has called for the government to table the proposed Climate Change Act (CCA) as soon as possible in the Parliament next year.

The Malaysian Ecological Association president Prof Ahmad Ismail said the pace of tabling and implementation of the new law is crucial in view of the current environmental issues globally and around the region.

“This needs to be done quickly by looking at all aspects of economy and industries, nature protection and wastes, political will and public participation,” he told The Vibes.

Stating that the new law has been long overdue since it was included in the 12th Malaysia Plan while the previous government had planned to table it in 2025, Ahmad said it is important that the new federal government be resolute on the matter with speed.

During the Christmas weekend, the natural resources, environment and climate change minister stated that he is committed to a few key initiatives to tackle climate change, which includes formulating a new law.

“I intend to see it through,” minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad firmly told The Vibes.

Ahmad, who has produced over 300 scientific papers published in local and international journals as well as conducted research mainly related to ecotoxicology of hazardous chemicals in coastal marine environments, pointed out that the need for urgent action to halt and reverse nature loss should not be ignored.

“With the present concerns around the world, the (new) law is important to cater to future environmental and growing issues that were discussed at global levels for better human life,” said the environmental biologist.

Following the United Nations Biodiversity Conference held in Montreal last week, he said the proposed CCA must go parallel with our economic planning since they are interrelated for the sustainability of human life and environment.

He stressed that the Environmental Quality Act 1974 should also be revised further.

“I believe the proposed CCA should be bigger or have a wider scope and bigger jurisdiction than the environmental law. Many existing laws and regulations need to be adopted so that the approaches are integrated,” said Ahmad, who is also a fellow of Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

Yesterday, seasoned conservationist and environmental journalist Nadiah Rosli opined that the act should give clarity on the entity that would regulate and enforce the law once it has been implemented.  

“The act needs to be tabled soon and it needs to be bipartisan as well. When you talk about climate change, it cuts across all sectors – the environment, physical and mental issues, the country’s livelihood, the agricultural sector as well as food safety,” she had said.

Malaysia is currently experiencing one of its most severe monsoon seasons to date, with 121,864 people displaced from their homes across the country.

The current northeast monsoon, which hit the country in early November, is expected to last for another three months, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Armizan Ali. – The Vibes, December 29, 2022