CYBERJAYA: Malaysia is set to table its first National Climate Change Bill in Parliament by March this year, marking a key step towards strengthening the country’s legal framework to address climate change, said the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES).
Its minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic) said this was among the 10 main 100-day KPIs to be achieved by March 26.
“By March 2026, we will table the National Climate Change Bill (Ruupin) and the National Climate Change Authority Bill (Ruuiklim) for their first reading in Parliament.
“Ruupin serves as a legal instrument to address climate change through the implementation of policies, regulations and comprehensive reporting mechanisms.
“This ensures that national development remains sustainable and resilient," he said after delivering the ministry's New Year message here Thursday (Jan 15).
Arthur said that these 10 KPI targets will focus on sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation and climate change action.
The ministry is also committed to devolving regulatory authority over scheduled substances under Article 95C of the Federal Constitution to Sabah and Sarawak, he added.
“In this context, the Amendment to the Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974 will be made with the target of being tabled in Parliament in March this year,” he said.
He said the ministry also plans to disburse the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) totalling RM250mil to state governments to support the expansion of new protected areas under the National Biodiversity Policy 2022–2030.
“A total of RM50mil will go directly to state governments for their conservation efforts, while the rest will be paid in two stages, RM100mil in January and RM100mil in April. This is to help expand protected areas under the national biodiversity plan,” he said.
On a separate matter, Arthur said that the government was aware of public calls to remove asbestos-based materials
“This matter is being examined and more information will be released in the coming months,” he added.
