PETALING JAYA: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has come out with a special message to Malaysians – to appreciate the beauty of the earth and help preserve the environment.
In a posting on Istana Negara’s Facebook page in conjunction with the Earth Day 2022 celebration themed “Invest In Our Planet” yesterday, the King expressed hope that development would be carried out in a sustainable manner to avoid disasters that would affect the people.
His Majesty also called on the people to join him in praying for Malaysia to continue to be blessed and protected from any threat and calamity.
The Regent of Pahang Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah also called on governments, businesses, financial institutions, civil society and the public to step up efforts to reverse the loss of nature and the aberration of climate change.
In a statement, he said the latest assessment from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) this year reaffirmed that climate change was already causing more frequent and more severe storms, floods, droughts, wildfires and other extreme weather incidents.
Sharing his first-hand experience in witnessing the devastating impact of the floods in Pahang and other states last December, Tengku Hassanal said immediate action at every level and long-term strategic planning was needed.
“At least 125,000 people were displaced and 54 lives lost – one of the nation’s deadliest natural catastrophes in memory and an estimated RM20bil in economic losses, including around RM1.4bil in damage to infrastructure nationwide.
“When it comes to biodiversity loss, climate change and land degradation, immediate action at every level and long-term strategic planning must be looked into seriously.
“No one is a bystander. Each one of us has a responsibility.
“We need a transformational change of mindset, making care for nature a core value of every action in our daily lives,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob called on Malaysians to join forces towards cultivating environmental sustainability practices and to avoid acts that could harm the environment.
“Efforts to accelerate green growth, enhance energy sustainability and transform the water sector must remain at the core of the country’s socio-economic development,” he said.
The government, he added, will continue to fulfil its commitment to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, based on the intensity of 2005 emissions, in line with the aspiration of making Malaysia a low carbon country.
“This requires a concerted effort as well as high level of green commitment and investment.
“However, I am confident that with the involvement of the public, this commitment will ensure that Malaysia keeps in line with the efforts of other countries to achieve the global goal of tackling climate change,” he said.