Nik Nazmi: NRECC fully focused on addressing climate change threats

KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC) is fully focused on efforts to address climate change and its impact as the flood crisis has now become an annual occurrence.

Its minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (pic) in a statement on Saturday (Dec 24) said the NRECC would strive to take the lead to seek solutions to climate change issues as this is crucial to the future of the country.

He said Pakatan Harapan had always prioritised the need to address climate change issues as evident not only through the PH manifesto but also from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's proposal for the set up of a Parliamentary Special Committee on Climate Change and Biodiversity on Aug 4 last year when he was then the Opposition leader.

In fact, he said the setting up of a Ministry dedicated to address Climate Change shows the government had already taken immediate and positive steps to move towards a more sustainable future.

"NRECC had on Dec 19, proposed to the Dewan Rakyat speaker on the formation of a Parliamentary Select Committee on the Environment and Climate Change to assist the government in drafting clear policies and identify mitigation efforts in regards to climate change.

"A 'business-as-usual' approach will no longer suffice. Rest assured thorough preparation and deliberation will be given to precisely plan out national commitments to combat climate change and its devastating impacts," he said.

In dealing with the current crises, he said NRECC would continue to assist in flood preparedness and response such as issuing early warnings via the Meteorological Department as well as Drainage and Irrigation Department. - Bernama