While environmental issues have come to the forefront of election campaigns in some western countries, this is yet to happen in Malaysia. More and more locals aware and understand the importance to protect the environment nowadays. This is proven during my stay in one of jungle trip recently. It was my first experience to feel the thrill and exposure of 4WD off-roads adventure. Most of the comrades enjoyed the quality time spent together. We were advised not to be litterbugs and taught why is forest environment is such a significant area to protect. Among others I can understand it is crucial to prevent the rivers, livelihood of tribals (orang asli), trees and wildlife from pollution or being destroyed. It is also important to link environment protection issues with issues of sustainable development so that concerns of farmers, forest-produce gathers, fishermen and pastoral people can be taken up.
So particularly if the sustainability aspects are kept in mind, then environment protection issues become issues on which mass mobilisation is possible. Whether we talk of environment protection getting the due place in elections, then in fact we ought to be talking about environment protection plus sustainable livelihoods. And once we do that, it becomes difficult for politicians to ignore these issues. It will be a challenge for democracy how such issues can get an important place in our local politics contradicting the money factor. Are Malaysians prepare to accept such potential issue, recognising the need of it? Would it also be an interest to political parties and candidates (for instance Gerakan) to attract support and votes if such schemes can be in the forefront of election campaigns? Nay, I doubt so, we are yet to be educated in understanding the long term effect instead of material needs. Nonetheless I do hope in the near future, there will be politicians out there interested to think constructively on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection.
andyyong
As a matter of fact Gerakan’s ideological position on protection of environment is to foster “policies pursued by both the state and private sector to be environmentally sound. Gerakan also subscribes to the pursuit of sustainable development. Gerakan wants to help Malaysia to safeguard its environment, without jeopardizing growth”. Unfortunately it is nicely written but no where it seems anyone from the party is pushing it. I hope KOH TSU KOON realises that he better plan something seriously for the party’s future and stop playing favourable politics. He has the ability to the right thing and not easily influence by the waggy dogs or shoe-polishers. Please for party sake, all leaders including Tun must help Gerakan not only to gain back the golden years but to advance successfully being a trusted party to the people.
Political parties that champion the issues of environment are truly for the people. Malaysia politics are all about moneys and selfish agendas, therefore at the moment there will never be a sincere party to go along such objective.
Sounds like a prospective political agenda, by defending the environment, you are actually defending everyone. It is a matter of how to educate the people during election campaign.
About environment, unity or social responsibility, there is no other way but to start from school! Then the other problem wil be the integrity and quality of the teachers. Without dedicated teaching human resources, there is a limited prospect. Perhaps political party can affliate such ideas to the education ministry and the public.
Green Party?