Stronger collaboration with Singapore needed on environmental issues, says Hasni

SIMPANG RENGGAM: There is a need to further strengthen collaboration with Singapore to address climate change issues, says Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.

"As a state with such a special relationship with Singapore, we need to take extra effort to have more collaboration with the island republic, especially on climate change and environmental issues.

"We need to have more memorandum of understanding with Singapore with regards to these issues and work together on addressing them," said the Umno Hari Raya open house here on Friday (May 12).

Also present was Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also Simpang Renggam Umno division chief.

Hasni added that Johor could also come out with a special framework that deals with climate change and environmental issues, based on existing framework at national level and from Singapore.

"We have public and private universities as well as companies that could contribute to the establishment of a centre of excellence that can discuss these issues.

"We also have the carbon-neutral masterplan at national level that could be used as a guide for us to come out with our own framework at state level.

"We could also look at Singapore's Green Plan 2030 as another reference," he said.

He added that he is also in the midst of setting up an appointment with Singapore's Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu to discuss further collaboration.

"I hope that the meeting can take place sometime this month," he said.