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Lack of policy coherence in protecting biodiversity

  • Publication Date | May 22, 2021
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Biodiversity, Conservation, Deforestation, Forest Conversions, International Treaties, Mining & Extractives, Pollution, Toxics, Waste, Wildlife
  • Tags | Bukit Ibam, Forest Reserve, International Day for Biological Diversity, National Biodiversity Policy, National Forestry Policy
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22nd May is the International Day for Biological Diversity

 

Malaysia, is a party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and is one of the most megadiverse countries, ranking 12th in the world, according to the National Biodiversity Index, that is based on estimates of the country’s richness and endemism in relation to some classes of plants and animals. 

If we are proud of this rank, then we must do something to urgently address what appears to be a serious lack of policy coherence among our topmost decision-makers and agencies in protecting our biodiversity and forests.

The federal agency responsible for advancing our National Biodiversity Policy and National Forestry Policy (aimed at ensuring biodiversity/forest protection and their sustainable use) is the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR).

However, it is this same ministry that is also responsible for advancing the new National Mineral Industry Transformation Plan 2021-2030 (TIM 2021-2030), launched on 22nd April by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.     

ingots, mining, copper

According to media reports, MENR’s Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah was reported as saying that the country is set to become an important hub for the development of the mineral industry, with TIM managing the industry so as to make it a “new source of wealth” for the nation.

The Minister, did however acknowledge, that “in the rush to explore the potential of these minerals, the mineral industry is also seen as an industry that causes a lot of damage to the environment, the country’s biodiversity system and the wellbeing of the local community.”

Despite the assurances that such mining will not take place in environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) such as to impair our forests and biodiversity, our concern is that it is precisely in these areas where such mineral resources exist, given the nation’s previous history of mining and extraction. 

The notion of ‘sustainable’ mining is an oxymoron, and is misleading, as such activities will always have serious negative impacts in areas where mining or any other commercial activities should not be allowed in the very first place. 

ESAs including forest reserves and biodiverse-rich areas should be NO-GO zones and protected from any incursions. 

Mining activities also burden us further with the generation of dangerous toxic, hazardous, and chemical wastes for generations to come.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s concerns are not without basis. Already, we know of companies who intend to carry out mining in existing forest reserves in Pahang. 

One company from East Malaysia is reported to have been given a new mining lease recently in an area measuring approximately 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) at Hutan Simpan Bukit Ibam, Keratong, Rompin, in Pahang. 

Any approval for such mining leases has to come under the purview of the Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) under the MENR. How can approvals be given for mining in forest reserves? 

The right hand and the left hand seem to be at odds in contradictory moves, exposing policy incoherence. Clearly, the possibility for conflicts and competition between policies is real. 

Our real fear is that once again, the profit motive from the mining industry will trump biodiversity and forests concerns, whose conservation value cannot be monetised but are invaluable nevertheless, due to the ecological functions they perform.  

Our leaders should not simply laud our success of maintaining at least 50 percent forest cover, when what we need to ensure is the complete protection of our forests and biodiversity from destructive activities and conversions.

Hence, policy coherence is vital. Allowing trade-offs between mining and other private commercial interests against the public interest of protecting forests and biodiversity, is not only being policy incoherent, but is also being short-sighted.  

It also undermines the long-term sustainability of the nation in terms of the future of our water resources, the ability to combat climate change and in maintaining healthy ecosystems that enable a good quality of life for our continued existence, which are also necessary for maintaining jobs and livelihoods as well.

It is about time that we realise that we have reached the limits of what Mother Earth can take, and if we continue to ignore these warning signs and limits, we will face environmental calamities which will be hugely costly, both in human and economic terms.  

Meenakshi Raman
President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki,
11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi,
Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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