PUTRAJAYA – The National Biodiversity Council must be further empowered as the primary platform to strengthen policies and strategies for biodiversity conservation at the national level, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
For one, he said the proposed establishment of the Malaysia Biodiversity Centre as a national centre of excellence for biodiversity would complement biodiversity management initiatives at the state level and make the establishment of the Malaysian Natural History Museum a reality.
“Apart from that, the participation of Orang Asli or Orang Asal as well as local communities in environmental conservation and preservation activities, including through appropriate social forestry programmes, should be given attention.”
Anwar said this in his speech read out by Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at the opening of the National Biodiversity Conference and the launching of the National Biodiversity Policy 2022-2030 here today.
The prime minister said efforts to improve biodiversity management are challenging because it falls under the jurisdiction of the states and is a sector that crosses various domains.
“Hence, to strengthen and enliven the biodiversity conservation agenda in the country, several initiatives have been taken at various levels, such as the setting up of the National Tiger Conservation Task Force by the Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry, the Pahang Biodiversity Council, the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre and the Sabah Biodiversity Centre,” he said.
Anwar also suggested that state governments develop biodiversity plans in line with the National Biodiversity Policy 2022-2030.
He said the sincerity of private companies, corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations and individuals in assisting the federal and state governments in strengthening biodiversity conservation and preservation efforts was very much welcomed.
The newly launched National Biodiversity Policy 2022-2030 is the result of a review of the policy for 2016-2025, which took into account current national needs and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, based on the country’s conditions, priorities, and capabilities.
As a government that cares about biodiversity conservation, Anwar said transformative steps have also been taken as announced in Budget 2024 to strengthen efforts to combat encroachment, illegal logging and wildlife poaching.
Among those announced was the increase in the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation to RM200 million in 2024 from RM150 million in 2023, to empower state governments in preserving and gazetting protected areas.
Anwar said Malaysia is committed to maintaining at least 50% forest cover of its land mass. At present, Malaysia has a forested area measuring 18,045,600ha, which is 54.58% of the country’s land mass.
“Based on reports by the World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch and the University of Maryland on deforestation, Malaysia has managed to maintain the lowest rate of loss of primary forests. Overall, Malaysia reduced deforestation of primary forests by 57% in 2022, placing Malaysia fourth among the top 10 countries in reducing deforestation of primary forests in 2022,” he said.
In his speech, Anwar also announced that he will be attending the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai on December 1 and 2, which coincides with the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The prime minister is scheduled to deliver a national statement to voice Malaysia’s views and efforts in addressing climate change issues, especially those directly related to forest management. – October 24, 2023