PUTRAJAYA: State governments should draw up their biodiversity plans in accordance with the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022-2030.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the mainstreaming of biodiversity management could be further strengthened at the state and municipal levels through the implementation of initiatives in the Malaysia Forestry Policy, National Physical Policy, National Coastal Zone Physical Plan and Central Forest Spine Ecological Master Plan.
"Efforts to improve the management of biological diversity are indeed challenging as they are under the jurisdiction of the state governments and the field covers cross sectors.
"Hence, several initiatives have been taken at various levels to strengthen and boost the biodiversity conservation agenda such as the establishment of National Tiger Conservation Task Force – MyTTF) by NRECC (Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry), Pahang Biodiversity Council, Sarawak Biodiversity Centre and Sabah Biodiversity Centre," he said in his speech, which was read out by Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at the National Policy in Biological Diversity 2022-2030 launch here.
Anwar said various transformative steps in biodiversity conservation would be taken under the 2024 Budget, including curbing encroachment of Malaysian forests, illegal logging and poaching.
"Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3) has seen 1,500 community rangers appointed in 2023, comprising armed forces and police veterans; and Orang Asli community.
"For 2024, community rangers will be increased to 2,000 people with an allocation of RM60 million."
He said Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT) had also been increased to RM200 million from RM150 million this year, aimed at empowering state governments in conservation and gazettement of protected areas.
The government is also planning to issue biodiversity sukuk of up to RM1 billion involving the replanting of degraded forests that would generate carbon credit.
This, Anwar said, was in line with the Madani framework to create biodiversity assets in the carbon market through conservation and reforestation efforts.
"To encourage involvement of the private sector in charity projects in 2024, the government will also provide tax cuts for entities that sponsor tree-planting or conservation and rehabilitation awareness programmes that are recognised by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).
"Organisations such as UMW Holdings Bhd, Yayasan Axiata & Edotco Group, Touch 'n Go, Telekom Malaysia Bhd and the National Cooperative Movement of Malaysia Bhd have contributed a lot to the 'Malaysia Greening Programme: Tree-Planting campaign (2021-2025)."
He said such efforts by corporate bodies and individuals should be enhanced in ensuring the country achieved its target of planting 100 million trees by 2025.
Anwar is expected to attend the World Climate Action Summit on Dec 1 and 2, held against the backdrop of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (UNFCCC-COP28).
He is expected to deliver a country statement in expressing views and efforts by Malaysia in addressing climate change issues, particularly in forest management.
Nik Nazmi at a press conference later said the ministry had conducted an engagement series with the state governments, with the policy presented at the National Biodiversity Council, which was also attended by menteris besar and chief ministers.
"There are no issues (on state governments drafting its own plan) and they have given positive feedback on the matter."