TUARAN: The state government has laid down clear and specific guidelines to ensure sustainable development in Sabah, said Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.
Sustaible development is important to prevent and minimise natural disasters from happening in the state, she said when speaking at the closing ceremony of Environment Day celebration at Institut Sinaran near here yesterday.
“We used to think that natural disasters happen elsewhere but not in Sabah. Just a month ago, the highway connecting the district of Tambunan and Penampang was cut off when a portion of the road slid down, bringing down several houses.
“The disaster was attributed to careless cutting of hills along the upper portion of the road. The damaged road cost million of ringgit to repair and not to mention the inconvenience caused to many road users,” said Jainab.
She added that the growing human population and development in the state also caused a steep increase in the amount of rubbish produced.
The Karambunai assemblywoman said compounding the challenge of waste disposal to the City Hall is the careless dumping of rubbish at rivers.
“This has resulted in a lot of rubbish being carried into the sea, and eventually land on our beautiful islands and beaches. Turtles and other sea creatures that have mistaken the plastic for food would be choked and killed,” added Jainab.
However, she claimed that in the government’s effort to encourage sustainable development practices, some corrupt officials ignored guidelines which consequently endangered public safety such as the case in the Highland Tower disaster.
“The government understands these concerns and will continue to champion sustainable development. However, the government cannot do this alone. It needs the assistance and support of all parties, including responsible developers, non-governmental organisations and concerned citizens,” she added.
A total of 380 students from six secondary schools participated in the Environment Day celebration yesterday.
Meanwhile, Institut Sinaran chief executive officer William Pan said the institute believed in holistic development of Malaysian youths through participation in co-curricular activities like the Environment Day to nurture them to become global citizens who care for Mother Earth.
He also announced that Institut Sinaran received financial assistance from Sabah Environmental Conservation Department, Youth and Sports Ministry, Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry and Monash University, Melbourne.
Also present was chairman of the Board of Governors of Institut Sinaran, Datuk Yong Kyok Ming.
Among the activities organised by the institute in conjunction with the event were environmental quiz, photography contest and eco-challenge.