PORT KLANG: The government is expected to set up a new Environment Ministry by the end of the month, said Petaling Jaya member of parliament Maria Chin Abdullah.
“We are trying our very best to set up the whole cabinet and have the parliament in session.
“Probably the target (of setting up a ministry dedicated to environment) will be by the end of June. We hope to do that as soon as possible.
“I am sure they (the government) are doing the best that they can but there are more crucial issues to address at the moment,” she said at a press conference after a tour of the Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior here today.
Maria, who is also a social activist said the government had set up the 10 core ministries to tackle serious issues plaguing the country, such as corruption, the economy, health and education related matters.
“These are the crucial issues confronting our nation currently. I am sure we will get our act together after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“I hope the new minister (of environment) will be able to work towards promoting protection against degradation of the environment, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.”
Maria further said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government took environmental protection very seriously and would do its best to conserve the environment.
The PH manifesto, she said, has detailed out specific policies to address Malaysia's environmental issues.
“The government is committed to conserve the environment as well as our resources. We just need to work out a plan for the next few years to best protect and conserve the environment.
“This is to prevent issues like the Bukit Merah incident and the Lynas rare earth plant from resurfacing. We should be moving towards a zero waste lifestyle.
“We must seek ways to better manage our resources and help one another in terms of raising awareness on environmental protection. Environmental awareness in Malaysia is low and needs to be increased.
“Reduce, reuse and recycle. That is the awareness that we have to bring to everyone. And that would go a long way in protecting our environment,” she added.
The Rainbow Warrior is on a five-month tour in Southeast Asia. The ship, which had previously visited the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore will be anchored-at-sea in Port Klang (Kompleks Dato Shaari Jihin South Port) from June 2 to June 5, and is open for the public.
It will then leave for Phuket, Thailand.