Edward (fifth left) lights one of the Earth Hour themed candles together with the other invited guests.
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysians are lucky to have a country that is rich in biodiversity, but failure to preserve it will diminish the quality of our beautiful land, said Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah.
“Things such as air pollution, water pollution, poor waste and toxic management, unauthorized deforestation and climate change will result in an imbalance in our environment and our ecosystem,” he said last night when
launching Earth Hour 2017 at Segama Waterfront here.
Edward said that ecosystem issues such as these might lead to natural disasters like flood, landslide, drought and many more.
He explained that failure to preserve the environment might also lead to social and economic dilemmas in the State.
Among the activities that were held last night were Low Power Entertainment, which was performed by youth volunteers, Earth Hour Night Ride, Earth Hour Candlelight, Anime and Cosplay appearances and other competitions.
Some of the streetlights along Kota Kinabalu were also turned off during the Earth Hour.
Also present at the event were Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, Head of Conservation of Sabah-WWF Malaysia Office, Dr John Tay, Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu general manager Thor Gervasi, city police chief ACP Chandra Muthu, DBKK director general Datuk Joannes Solidau, Lembaga Taman-Taman Sabah director Tengku Dr Zainal Adlin, Ministry of Community and Consumer Affairs permanent secretary Janet Chee and DBKK Survey and Innovation director Tuan Mas Farisan Salleh.