With 2005 scurrying away fast, let’s see what I consider as top ten green issues (tag) in Malaysia (tag) for 2005.
Topping my list is definitely the haze that covered Malaysia, no thanks to weak Indonesian enforcement and possibly, irresponsible Malaysian firms. With Malaysians breathing smog, the term “fog you” started to gain currency. This was a signal of a growing discontent, directed towards Indonesian ineffectiveness in handling a grave major regional environmental emergency. There was even a small protest in front of the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and I was there. Though the problem is no more, despite a decade of this annual haze, I’ve yet to see any concrete action taken to completely solve the problem. So far, people in ASEAN have been treating the symptoms but not the cause. Hence, mark my word – the haze will return in 2006. So, stock up those masks now.
Second to the haze is the mis-development of Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture Park in Selangor. The park is a nature reserve – what’s left of it anyway. Part of it was illegally developed by certain people and was approved by the local government in spite of the park’s status. And this happened under the nose of the state Chief Minister. Believe it or not, the Chief Minister’s office is not too far from the park. I’m very much dissatisfied with the outcome of the “investigation” since the people in the state government got away relatively unscathed. Those people should’ve been sacked and brought to justice – including the Chief Minister. But no. They even have the audacity to declare Selangor as a developed state…
Third is poarching and illegal trade of endangered wildlife. Remember the Malayan tiger that was butchered? How about the tiger cub that was saved from the soup bowl? That might be a tip of an iceberg but thanks to public exposure, awareness is starting to creep up. Slower than I would like but up nonetheless. Still, the government is not doing enough. Malaysia wildlife law needs serious upgrading. Or at least better enforcement.
Fourth is water shortage. It was rather surpising to see dams water level dangerously fell how it had fallen this year. The odd thing is, Malaysia is a tropical country and it suffers from water shortage. It’s like, going to the north pole and having a shortage of snow! Well, not really but, you know. Water rationing was imposed at several places. Thank goodness Kuala Lumpur was spared. One thing history tells us is that we never learn. This shortage is set to happen again next year and I’m convinced of that.
Fifth is still about water. This time, it’s about too much water. Northern Malaysian states suffered their worst flood in 30 years. The flood was partly due to above average torrential rain and inadequate drainage system. Crazy. Malaysians could have used that extra rain earlier but no, someone up there had a different idea. Meanwhile, Vietnam, mainland China and Japan suffered record breaking rain and snowfall. Possibility of a repeat? It depends on the climate.
Sixth, the Johor Department of the Environment fire. The fire did one thing – documents on a toxic waste case are in form of unreadable ashes now. The fire brings in suspicious circumstances given that the DOE was closing in on a toxic waste dumping case. Soon after, police comfirmed that it was an arsonist’s work. Later, a DOE officer was murdered. He was the one that reported the fire and a few other things to the police.
Seventh, mistreatment of pets. But thanks to wide coverage by Malaysian press and in part to SPCA’s efforts, Animal Ordinance 1953 is undergoing study and might have sharper teeth soon.
Number eight, bird flu. Malaysia wasn’t hit hard but culling of chickens did occur in Kelantan, near the Thai border. If Malaysia had been hit harder, eight would have been too low a rank.
Ninth. Tsunami. The 2004 tsunami convinced authorities in Malaysia and indeed all around the world of the importance of mangrove swamps. Efforts to conserve and rehabilitate mangrove swamps are receiving much needed attention due to how the swamps softened the destructive force of the tsunami.
Finally, protection of green lungs in and around Kuala Lumpur. These green areas faced possible extinction but protests from local residents prevented that. Better still, the opposition comprises of influential and filthy rich people. Thus, any effort to violate the green areas in the future will meet above average, fierce opposition.
With that, happy new year to you. I’m off to witness some fireworks.