Sabah green groups: We can’t fast-track projects

KOTA KINABALU: The 11th Malaysia Plan’s target of cutting greenhouse emissions, tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity is needed to ensure a greener Malaysia, but success will depend largely on the Government’s commitment.

Sabah Environmental Protection Association president Lanash Thanda welcomed the target but noted that many development projects under the 11MP, including power plants, ran contrary to the green efforts.

“We cannot fast-track these projects. The letter of every environmental law must be adhered to because past examples of fast-tracking projects have done irrepa­rable damage to the environment,” she said.

She also hailed the Government’s assurance of doing away with the “grow first, clean up later” development model, which would help the country move towards a resilient, low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive society.

This socially inclusive development model, she added, should be the basis for any development for the proposed Kaiduan water supply dam that had been rejected by the communities affected.

Lanash also said that economic transfor­mation projects should not be pushed through without complying with environmental laws.

Among the other green initiatives under the 11MP are the conservation of at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas, as well as designating 10% of coastal and marine areas as protected.