This man has been fighting to save Malaysia's environment for half a century

Gurmit Singh was campaigning for the environment even before it was popular to do so. Photo: The Star/Art Chen

For most of his adult life, Gurmit Singh K.S. has campaigned tirelessly for the nation’s green soul.

He’s written books and papers about pressing issues. He’s formed two prominent local environmental organisations – the Environmental Protection Society, Malaysia (EPSM) and the Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia – and been involved in many of the country’s major environmental initiatives. He’s spoken up fearlessly about important issues, never backing down even when his outspokenness got him in trouble with the authorities.