Category: Environment EN

We refer to the news item in which the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted as saying ‘There may come a time when we may have to turn to nuclear power. But the government hasn’t decided on that yet’ (‘Nuclear Power “an option” ’, NST 27 March 2012 p3). This appears to contradict the government’s clearly stated aim of ‘Deploying Nuclear Energy for...

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urges all state governments to take immediate measures  to gazette all  Permanent Reserved Forests that have been identified as water catchment areas in the country in line with the decision by the National Land Council. This call is to avoid damaging activities such as deforestation and other encroachment, upstream of the water catchment areas as it would be...

CAP urges the Perak State Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry to thoroughly investigate the Arowana culture project in Bukit Merah in Kerian District.   We had previously revealed that laws were being flouted since the project commenced 10 years ago. The Arowana culture project in a productive rice-growing area has also brought about negative impacts to the...

The 1,000ha Integrated Shrimp Aquaculture Park (i-SHARP) in Setiu is causing negative impacts to the environment and local fisherfolk. SAM’s forecast that the project will bring about negative impacts to local fisherfolk and the environment has been proven. It was evident from the severe flooding during the recent monsoon season. Land reclamation work that was carried out on a flood-plain to...

Last week’s mass fish death in Sungai Terla and the eventual forced closure of the Kampung Terla water treatment plant in Cameron Highlands, Pahang are very disturbing news. Tests done by the Chemistry Department found that excessive pesticide use was the cause of the fish deaths. The water treatment plant has been closed until the water is certified safe for consumption. Pesticides are toxic...

CAP and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) are deeply troubled by the intentions of the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia and WWF-Malaysia to come up with a blueprint for sustainable coastal trawl fisheries in Malaysia. The DOF in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia is organising a two day workshop on adaptation of a blueprint for sustainable coastal trawl fisheries in Malaysia on 6 and 7 March. We...

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Malaysian Coastal Fishermen's Welfare and Education Network (JARING) urge the authorities to take stringent action on the illegal use of rawa sorong nets which violates the Fisheries Act 1984. SAM and JARING also object any attempt to license this destructive fishing gear. The use of rawa sorong nets, also known as sodok nets among local fishers is not...

In recent days we have heard the authorities giving contradictory signals regarding the disposal of radioactive wastes from Lynas. According to the Health Minister, Lynas would be told to move the radioactive wastes outside of Kuantan or ship them back to Australia. This was the agreement reached by him and the Ministers of International Trade and Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, and...