Dr Chan plants a tree sapling at Tree Planting Day at MRC Miri District yesterday. Assisting him are Dr Uma (left) and Tan.
MIRI: The simple effort of planting trees should not be viewed lightly as it could actually make a huge difference to a city, such as Miri that has potential to become the next smart city of the country.
The criteria to become a smart city includes beautification, cleanliness, safety and hygiene as well as peace and harmonious ambience among its people, Malaysian Red Crescent Miri District chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said when officiating Tree Planting Day at the MRC Miri centre yesterday.
“Planting trees and managing them well sound easy but it actually takes a lot of work and cooperation from agencies as well as the local community to make it happen,” added Dr Chan.
He lauded the state MRC for being very keen in issues relating to climate change, environmental pollution and tree planting.
“These issues arise due to rapid development that has seen the global average temperature increase by about 1.1 degree Celsius since pre-industrial period, whilst the sea level has risen by three inches since over two decades ago.
“Hence, a simple act of planting tree is actually a very significant thing that humans can do to help our planet, getting rid of the toxic release from vehicles, factories, among others,” said Dr Chan, while lauding state MRC on its move to make every third Sunday of October as Tree Planting Day.
More than 110 students and teachers from primary and secondary schools in Miri attended the awareness campaign held at MRC Miri District’s Training Institute.
In giving a piece of advice to the participating students, he said that the awareness programme that they took part in would be appreciated by future generations.
“What we are doing today is saving the planet because climate change is a reality. The future generations will be thankful for what you and I are doing today,” he said.
Among those present were vice chairwoman Liza Chai, honorary secretary Tan Lay Yen, MRC Miri District’s Health and Community Services chairwoman Dr Uma Devi, chairwoman of tree planting Jambi Nayan, chairman of Tree Planting Day Aaron Ismanto, Miri City Council representative Rannie Mary Richard as well as invited speakers Dr Tay Ai Chen of Curtin University Malaysia and Roslan Mohamad Sah of Sarawak Forestry Department.