Malaysia will reportedly continue to advocate and strengthen maritime and oceanographic research for a sustainable South China Sea as many nations sharing the sea depend on its living and non-living natural resources for food, trade, transport, tourism and security.
The Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry’s deputy secretary-general (Science, Technology and Innovation) stated this in his speech at the opening of the 3rd South China Sea Conference 2019 (SCS2019) held in Malaysia.
It was noted that, unfortunately, the South China Sea is facing a plethora of threats from climate change, pollution and over-exploitation of its resources, including modifications of coastal and natural marine environments.
Therefore, the ministry will play its role in ensuring environmental sustainability which is pollution-free and resistant to the threats of climate change.
Thus, in working towards a blue economy, it was crucial that sustainable economic development is balanced with the conservation and safeguarding of marine resources and the environment.
The four-day SCS2019 brings together ocean stakeholders from various sectors and serves as a platform for the exchange of information concerning research activities in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences senior research fellow stated that the Strait of Malacca was the second busiest strait in the world. Geographically, the area was sitting at the most important transport and biodiversity route.
The Strait of Malacca receives approximately 200 vessels per day as a transit of transfer. Therefore, it is imperative that nations recognise the importance of the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea to the economy and (food) security well-being, and put it as a much higher agenda in terms of policy-making.
States across Malaysia are beginning to enact policies that push for greater environmental protection and more responsible manufacturing processes. It follows that the country’s leaders would seek the same for the water bodies surrounding it – which key components of Malaysia’s economic framework.
According to an earlier report by OpenGov Asia, Malaysia is pushing for more green technology to be adopted. The Malaysian state of Kedah recently announced that it is inviting investors to develop more green technology-based projects in the state, especially those relating to solar power.
The state’s Chief Minister said this would not only create more jobs but also establish many new business opportunities in terms of the handling, maintenance and installation of solar panels at commercial and residential premises.
The Chief Minister noted that the state government is also evaluating the entry of several new solar projects, seeing as similar solar projects are now becoming increasingly popular not only in Malaysia but around the world.
Another report noted that waste management in the Malaysian state of Sabah will go hi-tech. All landfills in Sabah will use cell technology and leachate treatment methods under an RM130 million allocation to improve and enhance solid waste management in the state.
The allocation will be used to upgrade the existing Kayu Madang landfill which will cost RM40 million, and to construct two new regional landfills in Tawau and Beaufort. Each construction costs RM45 million.
Secretary-general to the Housing and Local Government said the regional landfill in Tawau was scheduled to be completed in October. It has a capacity of 250 tonnes per day.
The ministry had also approved upgrading of the new cell structure for the Kayu Madang landfill, and construction was also expected to commence this year.
With this sanitary landfill, it will further enhance the municipal solid waste management and reduce illegal dumping.
The ministry channels more than RM45 million allocation for distribution to all 25 local authorities (PBT) in Sabah.
Noting that there were 151 PBTs nationwide, he said each local authority was allocated an average of RM1.8 million for small scale projects such as upgrading of roads, street lights, drainage, and community halls, among others.