Sustainability must be the core focus of Budget 2022
SHAH ALAM – Sustainability and environmental care should be the main focus of Budget 2022 as the country transitions into the Covid-19 endemic stage.
Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) information chief Ulya Husamuddin said although Malaysians were aware that policies surrounding a sustainable future have been launched, many were still unclear of its direction.
He said proper research and mechanisms need to be carried out to provide infrastructure and capabilities for the people to adapt easily, citing electronic cars as a solution to lower carbon emissions.
“If I choose to buy an electric car in Malaysia because I want to be a responsible citizen and ensure carbon emission is at the lowest level, the question here is where do I charge it? “Only some places, mainly in urban areas, have this service. If I’m living somewhere Pokok Sena, Kedah for example... it won’t be viable for me to buy an electric vehicle.
“Malaysia needs to think of how we are going to change or move forward,” he said during Wacana Sinar’s Special Edition titled Endemic Management for Budget 2022 last night.
Ulya added that this also sets the question of where is Malaysia headed when it comes to renewable energy.
Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) chief executive officer Tricia Yeoh shared similar sentiments to Ulya, noting that 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) does address some issues of sustainability and the environment.
However, Yeoh said it does not stipulate how long it will take to move policies, systems, institutions and even basic facilities to accommodate it.
Yeoh questioned whether the government was ready to have conversations about renewable energy and sustainable plans with large corporations, companies and consumers to take the leap.
“Many said the Covid-19 pandemic was only a small pilot as to what the nation and world have to face in the future with the climate change crisis.
“Our national policies are not well placed to allow great weather changes,” she said, adding that this was partly due to never having to deal with any major natural disasters unlike neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Semambu assemblyman Lee Chean Chung highlighted that sustainability was not only limited to environmental issues but also politics and the economy, which in return also plays a role in pushing the sustainable agenda.
“When we talk about sustainability, there are a few dimensions to it. We should also look at political and economic sustainability as it is equally important.
“Development is equally important for the country. While we are looking at how we develop a country, we must also make sure you are always at the forefront of the technological breakthrough and that the people retain or improve their living quality.
“It’s a tough balancing act and easier for a developing country to attain,” he said, adding that it was important to look at it from a bottom-up approach.
Malaysia’s Budget 2022 will be tabled in Parliament today and anticipated to reflect an inclusive “Keluarga Malaysia” approach, in line with the policies and strategies out in the 12MP.
Finance Ministry has stated that the budget will focus on recovery, rebuilding national resilience and catalysing reform, to drive socio-economic recovery activities and the national development agenda.
Wacana Sinar’s Special Edition is a prelude to the new English portal Sinar Daily, which is set to go live in December! Stay tuned as more comprehensive and interesting content awaits you!
