Suara KeADILan Online

Press Statement by
President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat on World Environment Day 2008
9 June 2008

The theme for World Environment Day 2008 is climate change, which will focus on moving towards a low-carbon economy and lifestyle. The day’s agenda is to:
•    give a human face to environmental issues,
•    empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development,
•    promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues,
•    advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

This agenda is particularly relevant to the Rakyat of Malaysia. Today we want to salute the courageous people of Papan, Parit, Bukit Merah, Pusing, Menglembu and the surrounding areas for empowering themselves in protecting their environment, which was threatened by the dumping of toxic radioactive wastes in their environment. Their just struggles, their biter suffering, intimidations and torture under Internal Security Act for some of their leaders are not forgotten.  No word can explain the pains, frustrations and suffering of the people involved. The illegal dumpsite at Papa has been closed, and the factory producing the toxic radioactive waste has been shut down by the High Court, all because of the Power of the Rakyat.  We are proud to be their partner throughout the extended campaign. However, the radioactive waste storage is still located in the midst of housing estates near Papan and Lahat, posing major threat to the health and safety of the people, despite their vehement objection and protests.

The State Government of Perak will decide shortly to relocate the dangerous storage to a safe place far remote from the housing estates and free from the risks of wreckage.  It will appoint a committee comprising the local peoples’ representatives, NGOs and the relevant government agencies to provide a long term solution to the safe keeping of the radioactive waste.  We will ensure that long term monitoring programmes of the storage site is in place to prevent the spillage of radioactive waste from the storage and the damage of the storage.  The old site will be converted to a park for the recreation needs and wellbeing of the local people.

In order to prepare for and combat climate change, a long-term comprehensive environmental policy is in order.  It is the strategic policy of Pakatan Rakyat to invite green investment and eco-friendly business to our country.  We welcome green companies with green technologies and products, clean and safe production.  We will convene a green business convention shortly by inviting the best green companies overseas to develop our sustainable industries in a big way.  The potential impacts of global warming such as sea level rise in the low-lying coastal areas will be studied, so as to develop a future plan for people living in these areas.

We will also revive some the mining industry, such as tin.  However, the new mining companies will have to demonstrate and guarantee environmental competence before they are granted license.  In particular they have to provide guarantee to restore ex-mining land to original condition in accord with the Mining Act.

We wish you a happy World Environment Day.

DR WAN AZIZAH WAN ISMAIL
President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat
Parliamentary Opposition Leader