Budget 2020: Allocation for environment sees a dip

PETALING JAYA: The Budget 2020 allocation for the environment sector saw a dip compared with the previous year, leading to questions whether it is enough for the nation to weather the impact of climate change.

In his speech, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng highlighted the need to tackle the -to-back man-made environmental disasters that struck Malaysia this year and the declining population of tigers.

“The recent incidents at Sungai Kim Kim and Pasir Gudang, as well as the spread of hazardous transboundary haze, are painful reminders of the importance of protecting our environment, and the cost of greed, ” he said in Parliament on Friday (Oct 11).

Climate change advisor for the Centre for Governance and Political Studies, Dr Renard Siew, said the allocation is skewed towards adapting, rather than mitigating, the disasters that have plagued Malaysia.

“I was expecting a 50-50 split on climate mitigation and adaptation measures, ” he said.

Siew added that the RM30mil allocation to build capacity within the Department of Environment and the Chemistry Department is insufficient as what they lack is the resources to go to the ground to monitor high-risk industries.

“Their competency is not the issue here, ” he said, adding that the allocation is a “reactive response”.

Siew also raised concerns that the allocation to finance SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) initiatives was reduced from RM1bil to RM10mil, while the allocation to conserve protected areas dropped from RM60mil to RM48mil.

“Nevertheless, we are seeing the private sector stepping up their game and getting involved in conservation efforts including the Central Forest Spine and Heart of Borneo, ” he said, adding that there is a need to streamline policies.

Greenpeace Malaysia said it was encouraged to see the government's attempt to focus on disaster adaptation, but there was a lack of effort in the protection and restoration of peatlands to combat local peatland fire.

Its campaigner Heng Kiah Chun said they hope that environmental protection and conservation is seen as part of the government's efforts to eradicate corruption in Malaysia, arguing that a polluted environment is a reflection of a corrupted government bureaucracy.

“We hope that aside from these initiatives and budget allocations, the government will also put in more effort and resources on the strict enforcement of our environmental laws, without fear or favour, ” he added.

WWF-Malaysia Conservation director Dr Henry Chan lamented the fact that the budget neglected marine biodiversity, despite the numerous troubles at sea.

“Allocation is also very much needed in enhancing conservation efforts in key seascapes under the Coral Triangle Initiative to recover damaged marine ecosystems, and to prevent illegal fishing and poaching of marine wildlife, ” he said.

Nonetheless, he lauded the other allocations, including the RM550mil to help farmers improve their palm oil yield, encouraging greater sustainability in the oil palm sector, in an effort to curb deforestation caused by the industry.

He also commended the commitment to move to a renewable energy mix of 20% through the expansion of the Green Tax Investment Allowance.

“We also hope that the Rural Electric Power Supply Project focuses on renewable energy, which has become more cost-effective and can provide jobs for those in the local community, ” he added.