Commentary by Musfafa K. Anuar

CONCERNED Malaysians predictably are keeping a watchful eye on newly minted Environment Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, especially when on the first day of his job he was reported to have made a defence for the logging activities in his home state of Kelantan, claiming that the state has the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) certification that allows for such economic pursuits.

The questionable ISO claim aside, logging in Kelantan has left the Orang Asli in Gua Musang without their ancestral land as well as a forest reserve area vital to their livelihood. This situation is obviously disconcerting to environmentalists and social activists.

Equally important, an eye trained on the minister is necessary because over the years Malaysia has witnessed an increased breach of environmental standards, ranging from unbridled deforestation, destruction of catchment areas, and dumping of toxic waste in rivers to turning Malaysia into a dumping ground for the rubbish of certain foreign countries.

For the sceptics, Tuan Ibrahim’s religious background becomes a factor that doesn’t infuse confidence, leaving some wondering whether he’d be able to handle issues that are temporal in nature.

However, he is quick to show the doubtful, if not cynical, members of the public that he is ready to learn the ropes – and be a force to be reckoned with.

On his maiden visit to the Environment Department, Tuan Ibrahim declared that he would study in detail 40 environmental initiatives prioritised by the previous Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry.

There are four main pillars supporting these initiatives: strengthening governance; economic growth; increasing social inclusiveness; and enhancing strategic collaboration.

Of the four, two – strengthening governance and increasing social inclusiveness – require our attention in the wake of what has happened in several states in the country, particularly when so-called development projects have not only caused environmental degradation but have also adversely affected the livelihood and lifestyle of some groups of people.

In Perak, for instance, tension is heightened between the Semai tribe and contractors associated with the proposed mini-hydro dams near the Orang Asli settlement in Ulu Geruntum, Gopeng, as the former fear that their ancestral land would be encroached on.

To rub salt into the wound, the community’s ancestral graveyard and crops have been destroyed.

In Selangor, a storm is brewing following the Selangor government’s decision to flout its own plan to protect the Kuala Langat North forest reserve.

Orang Asli as well as environmentalists and unhappy citizens are up in arms over the state’s proposal to de-gazette the 930ha forest (97% of the forest reserve) for mixed development.

For the Orang Asli, it’s the familiar story of their ancestral land, livelihood and culture being disrupted, if not destroyed, by the encroachment of people whose activities could bring about irreversible environmental degradation.

Not only is the Selangor plan to denude the land of lush greenery, which is inimical to the interests and concerns of the Orang Asli in the area, it also disregards the contention of the environmentalists that the “environmentally sensitive area” serves as an important water catchment area for southern Selangor and is a store for atmospheric carbon, helping to reduce global warming.

Similarly, fisherfolk and environmentalists in Penang are protesting against the massive land reclamation of three artificial islands in the Penang South Reclamation project, which they assert would give rise to the loss of fishing grounds and consequently, the livelihood of the fishing community, leading to reduced food security.

Hence, it is useful to remind the environment minister – whom we assume is familiar with the Islamic concept of humans as the guardians of the earth – that there is a symbiotic relationship between men (and women) and nature.

In real terms, the clearing of forests should involve serious consultation between state governments and other stakeholders, especially the Orang Asli who treat the environment as part of their culture. This is, to be sure, inclusivity at its best.

Additionally, the Environment Ministry must also provide effective and farsighted leadership that is informed by the notion of environmental sustainability and dictates of climate change.  

This is the environment minister’s call. – March 14, 2020.