Environmental issues ought to be included in the manifestos.

The election has been concluded with the BN winning a simple majority, and the silent voices of many have protested in voting for the opposition. I don't wish to state my personal opinion of the politics scenario for I have no CREDIBILITIES to say what is right or wrong in the politics (yes, I do feel silly for having to write the previous post). Both sides of the politic arena would throw words at each other trying to make themselves look better than the other. However, this sort of manner should not take place if Malaysians wish to accomplish themselves as a developed nation.

It is human nature that any individual or group would have both friend and foe. With friends, one would feel in comfort and have respect for one another. With a foe, we let anger take over and thus causing our bad side be revealed. One fighting for the cause of others, accusing each other on the lack of good qualities, and obvious of all, wanting to prove their worth for the sake of development in the country. As I try to disciplined myself to be a faithful environmentalist, I am saddened by the fact that none of the manifestos brought up by any politicial parties focused upon the environmental issues. Of course some Malaysians would inquire "what for?", and some would not hesitate to reply "who cares". Now that Malaysia has been elected with a new form of government, the Malaysian Environmental NGO (MENGO) have issued a statement they wish the new government to focus upon. The statement focus upon the following:

1) National policies, laws, acts, and all form of legislative enactments (especially concerning with the environment) should be reviewed for the benefit of the environment of both fauna and flora.

2) Fragile and sensitive environmental areas needs to be secured for preservation.

3) Indigenous people (referring to Orang Asli) needs to be given proper treatment, respect and justice so that they are treated as an equal in accordance to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigeneous Peoples (UNDRIP).

4) Public would have better access to environment information and NGOs would have more participation and their opinions would be considered more seriusly.

5) More awareness needs to be addressed through the education sector (i.e. primary to tertiary education).

6) Developing and implementing policies and practices that focus on sustainable use in all sectors.

7) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States of America needs to have proper consideration from the public and from NGO if FTA is needed and to study its' environmental impacts.

8) Exercise and conduct an effective and proper waste management and reduce the effect of trash.

9) National Biosafety Act and obligations agreed in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety be enforced and implemented.

10) Renewable resources needs to be more focused upon and combat the rise of Green House Gases (GHG) in the country.

and

11) To ensure the par treatment in gender equality and equity as a sign of the first step in sustainable development which will be noted in all levels of decision making and implementation.

This is what the Malaysian Environmental NGOs want from the new government, and it's time that environmental issues needs to addressed more often and be handled for the sake of the country's future. Put aside the differences, and focus on the work that needs to be done. Malaysia Boleh!