WWF-Malaysia is saddened by the incidents of floods that have impacted several states in Malaysia. There have already been unfortunate reports of loss of lives, and we hope safety measures are in place to ensure everyone’s safety.

Flood events have become more frequent in recent decades, making Malaysia particularly susceptible to the disaster. The increase in the intensity and frequency of environmental disasters shows that economic development without environmental considerations will not guarantee the well-being of the people.

This was acknowledged by the prime minister during the Budget 2023 announcement on February 24, when he said that in addition to pursuing economic growth, it is important for us to maintain the relationship between humans and nature.

In addition to the re-tendering of six flood prevention projects in Selangor, Johor, and Kelantan, similar flood mitigation initiatives should include Sabah and Sarawak, as well as coastal cities and island communities that are highly vulnerable to flooding and coastal erosion.

We believe adaptation and mitigation using nature-based solutions can help these communities become more resilient against the impacts of climate change.

Nature-based solutions can solve a wide range of social, economic, and environmental problems such as food and water security, climate change, and disaster risk reduction. For instance, ecosystems like mangrove forests and coral reefs protect the coastlines from storms and waves, reducing the severity of coastal erosion and preventing loss of and damage to properties. Hence, carefully planned and implemented nature-based solutions can bring tremendous value, as they are usually cheaper than man-made infrastructure and bring multiple benefits to local communities.

The prime minister also announced RM150 million will be allocated to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for assets, warning systems, and disaster relief efforts. This is encouraging and we would like to highlight the importance of working at the grassroots level to empower communities in disaster management and also implementing innovative early warning systems, for example, using digital technology. To do this, Nadma can collaborate with local civil society organisations on disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and relief efforts. WWF-Malaysia would recommend channelling some of the allocations for this purpose. 

Malaysia has the opportunity to become a leader in sustainable infrastructure with the construction of the Pan-Borneo Highway and the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road. This can be done by taking nature into account when designing and planning these roads to minimise impacts on biodiversity. Similarly, the budget also allocated RM480 million to construct a new road from Habu to Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands to ease congestion. It is critical that we take precautionary measures in environmentally sensitive areas, where development could have a negative effect on soil stability.

Our forests and marine areas are home to incredibly diverse flora and fauna, and as they thrive, ecosystems can continue to provide benefits like acting as buffers to the impacts of climate change, including by reducing the risk of floods and landslides. An important aspect of environmental conservation in Malaysia is addressing financial drivers. In this respect, we were glad to see the allocation for the ecological fiscal transfer initiative – which incentivises state governments to protect natural areas – increased from RM70 million to RM150 million this year, and we hope this will increase further in following years. 

The government also proposed an RM80 million allocation for the palm oil industry to improve its sustainability practices and address the anti-palm oil movement. We believe efforts should be concentrated fully on elevating the quality, standards, and sustainability of oil palm, with focus on smallholders who do not have the budgets big companies do.

In protecting wildlife, RM50 million was allocated to increase the number of rangers to 1,500, prioritising Orang Asli and police and army veterans for the job. More patrolling and enforcement operations are needed to monitor and safeguard our endangered wildlife such as Malayan tigers, particularly in areas where illegal poachers are active. 

We commend the government for introducing a budget that is committed to both natural conservation and long-term financial sustainability, although further improvement is still possible.

Moving forward, we ask that more allocations be given to the Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry for environmental monitoring, enforcement, protection, data collection, and mainstreaming environmental considerations across sectors, as it is an increasingly important portfolio in this age of climate change and nature loss. – March 3, 2023.

* WWF-Malaysia is part of international conservation organisation WWF.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.