Kota Kinabalu, 30 October 2024 (Daily Express): Sabah’s proactive environmental policies reflect the State’s commitment to sustainable development and have a set standard for others to flow.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the Sabah State Policy on the Environmental Protection Act 2017 and the Environmental Protection Enactment 2002 serve as a crucial framework guiding the State’s commitment to conservation and sustainability.
“The environment is an important and strategic pillar in sustainable development and certainly requires the use of appropriate policies,” she said during the National Environment Day Celebration 2024, here, Monday night.
According to Christina, emphasising the aspect of shared responsibility in environmental management is important. “As we all know, environmental management is a shared responsibility, and the practice creates a balance with development.
“Certainly this also involves efforts to protect the environment, even now it has become more important than before,” she said.
Christina added that the Department of Environmental Protection has also set guidelines on Environmental Self-Regulation and Standard Operating Procedures.
“This is intended to help project proponents meet compliance standards and integrate environmental considerations from the outset.
“The main goal is to minimise the project’s impact on the environment, improve sustainability and meet regulatory requirements without external enforcement,” she added.
Christina also praised the ongoing efforts and success of major environmental initiatives, such as the Environmental Friends School programme, which promotes sustainability at the local, national and international levels.
The schools are SM St Michael Penampang and SM St Patrick Tawau which have won awards, including the Asean Eco-School Award and the Sustainable School Award at the Malaysian level.
Recent national award recipients include Jennifer Asing, awarded the Langkawi Award, SM St Patrick Tawau for Sustainable Schools, and the Beaufort District Council for special recognition.
The Air Quality Monitoring System project is also known for its innovative local air quality monitoring in schools, involving the community in environmental monitoring through a dedicated website.
Among the schools are SM St Micheal Penampang, Indonesian School Kota Kinabalu, SK Buang Sayang Papar, SJKC Chung Hwa Tamparuli and SMKA Tun Ahmad Shah Kota Kinabalu.
Source: https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/244916/policies-reflect-sabah-s-commitment-to-sustainable-development-liew/