PENANG’S Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, does not merely speak about caring for the environment; he spends time tending his own garden and fruit trees, noting that the simple act of nurturing plants has shaped the way he views life and nature.
An avid gardener, Ramli said tending plants has taught him lessons that extend far beyond the garden.
“Gardening teaches patience. You cannot plant something today and expect it to flourish tomorrow. You have to care for it consistently, understand its needs and give it time to grow.
“It also teaches responsibility. These are values that are just as important in caring for the environment as they are in life itself,” he said.
Drawing on his gardening experience, Ramli said resilience comes from diversity and balance.
“A thriving garden depends on the relationship between soil, water, plants, insects and the wider environment.
“The same is true of our planet. Everything is interconnected, and the loss of one part can have consequences far beyond what we immediately see,” he said.
Ramli said conservation and sustainability should not be seen only as government policies or large-scale initiatives; instead, they should become part of everyday culture and habits.
He said environmental stewardship begins at home, where parents play an important role in nurturing children’s appreciation of nature.
“I grew up in a family that had a deep respect for nature, so spending time outdoors has always been a natural part of my life.
“From an early age, I learned that nature is not something separate from us. It is part of our daily lives and we have a responsibility to care for it,” he said.
Reflecting on his childhood, Ramli recalled how ulam, fresh vegetables and fruits harvested from the land around his family home were staples on the dining table.
Quoting the Malay proverb “berbudi kepada tanah, lambat-laun mendapat hasilnya” (care for the land and in time, it will reward you), he said the saying continues to guide his outlook on conservation and responsible development.
He believes a child’s appreciation for nature is shaped first by what they experience at home rather than what they are told.
“When children grow up appreciating trees, gardens, clean surroundings and the value of natural resources, that awareness becomes part of their character.
“Eventually, those values extend beyond the home and contribute to a society that is more conscious of its responsibility towards the environment,” he said.
Ramli added that preserving biodiversity is not merely an environmental issue but also a human responsibility.
Every species, however big or small, plays a role in maintaining healthy ecosystems that support fertile soil, clean water, pollination, food security and climate resilience.
Biodiversity has also contributed greatly to scientific discoveries, including advances in medicine and research.
Ramli called for environmental education to be strengthened in schools and families through activities such as gardening, tree planting, recycling and visits to forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems.
“There is a profound difference between learning the definition of biodiversity and experiencing it first-hand.
“A child who plants a seed, cares for it and watches it grow learns patience and responsibility in a way that no textbook alone can teach.
“Schools, families and communities must work together to ensure environmental stewardship becomes a way of life for future generations,” he said.
If there is one environmental cause he hopes to champion, Ramli said it would be nurturing a generation that not only understands environmental issues but feels a deep responsibility towards nature.
“I want to see a generation that respects the land, the water and every form of life that shares this world with us.
“I would like every child in Penang to grow up with a meaningful connection to the natural world, to plant a tree, tend a garden, understand the journey of food from soil to table, walk through a forest and recognise that a river is more than just water flowing to the sea.
“Only by experiencing nature first-hand can we truly appreciate its value and understand why it deserves our protection,” he added.
