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Love And Appreciate The Environment

  • Publication Date | May 7, 2020
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Climate Change, Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Conservation, Pollution
  • Tags | Air Quality, Covid-19, Environment, Ministry of Environment and Water
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The implementation of Phase 1 to 3 of the movement control order (MCO) not only reduced infection rate of the COVID-19 but also helped to educate the public to better appreciate the environment and recognize how it plays an important role in our daily lives.

Although the government has announced a Phase 4 conditional movement control order (CMCO) beginning May 4, 2020 and ending May 12th, 2020, it is not a ticket for us to revert to business-as-usual practices that contribute to environmental pollution or breach environmental laws.

According to a study by air quality experts in Malaysia, since the first week (Phase 1) of MCO came into effect, it was reported that the average air pollution rate was slightly lower than in the normal days before the MCO. The decline in pollution levels was unexpected and it signifies that good air quality can be achieved especially in areas with high levels of pollution by curbing pollution from its source.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 200507_Kelihatan_seakan_jerebu_yang_berlaku_dari_pembakaran_yang_dilakukan_oleh_kilang_selepas_waktu_pejabat.JPG
The haze that occurred from the burning by a factory after office hours | SAM

Dato’ Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, the Environment and Water Minister had stated that the  implementation of the MCO nationwide to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak also had a positive impact on the environment.

According to him, based on analysis of several locations including in Cheras (Kuala Lumpur), Putrajaya, Shah Alam, Ipoh, Penang, Kuantan, Seremban, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu, the air quality in the area has improved since the implementation of the MCO.

In fact, the Ministry of Environment and Water was quoted by the daily Sinar Harian, March 29, 2020, stating that the Ministry would continue to monitor that the environment is protected and ensure no pollution, particularly during the MCO since 18 March.

SAM welcomes this move by the Ministry and we view that this should be taken into account by the local authorities and enforcement agencies in maintaining clean air quality, reducing emissions of pollutants and waste discharge from the industries even after the MCO period is over.

The industrial sector must comply with the rules and regulations set by the Department of Environment and local authorities to curb environmental pollution and not to resort to cost-cutting measures by compromising on the environment.

We are concerned that all the improved environmental conditions due to restrictions on economic activities such as improvements to the air and water quality will be reversed due to bad environmental practices and violations of the law, which must be prevented by stringent environmental monitoring and enforcement. 

Meenakshi Raman

Presiden

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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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