Call for equal access to clean, safe environment


Mural by Greenpeace Malaysia and CO2_ karbondioksida in Petaling Street depicting the dangers of air pollution and what breathing in haze-polluted air equates to.

TO COMMEMORATE Human Rights Day, Greenpeace Malaysia collaborated with Oscar Lee from art collective CO2_karbondioksida on a mural to advocate for equal access to a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all citizens in Malaysia.

The mural, located in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur, represents the connection between health and basic human rights to a clean environment.

It depicts the potential hazard breathing in air pollution and haze have on our future generations, as a haze emergency day could be as deadly as smoking 23 cigarettes in one day.

Greenpeace Malaysia finds Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2023 introduced on Nov 16 of great importance as it guarantees the safeguarding of the people’s fundamental human rights and protects Malaysians from anthropogenic environmental threats.

The Bill also establishes the role of a director-general for environmental quality, who will oversee and coordinate all activities relating to the release of waste into the environment.

This includes responsibilities such as pollution control and efforts to improve environmental quality.

Greenpeace Malaysia clean environment campaigner AnnJil Chong said, “We will continue to demand for recognition of a clean environment as a fundamental human right.

“Every individual, regardless of his or her background, deserves a fair and sustainable future.

“Yearly reports of disastrous floods are on the rise, causing significant concerns and anxiety among Malaysians regarding the preservation of human rights in the environment.

“This prompts inquiries into potential causes, including climate change, fatal heatwaves and floods, plastic pollution, drainage system failures, and deficiencies in waste management systems.

“As citizens, we all have the right to understand the underlying causes of these incidents and contribute to efforts aimed at mitigating and preventing them.”

Greenpeace Malaysia is also calling for a thorough assessment of multiple aspects in order to protect human rights during the initial stage of reviewing the legislation.

“Merely placing a significant emphasis on enforcement measures in Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2023 is insufficient,” the environmental group said in a media statement.

“It is recommended that the government incorporates amendments to strengthen standards for preventing and monitoring environmental pollution.

“These standards should aim to establish a more robust framework for effectively regulating and monitoring industries, businesses and individuals in their efforts to reduce pollution and promote sustainable practices and climate action, ultimately culminating in achieving the objective of the Bill,” it further said.

Greenpeace Malaysia said the guidelines for environmental impact assessment (EIA) should be improved to ensure enforceability, impartiality, transparency and active public involvement.

“We recommend that the responsibility of hiring consultants to conduct EIAs should rest with Department of Environment (DOE) rather than the developer.

“The developer, on the other hand, should cover the expenses related to these consultancy services.

“The EIA process should be made accessible to the public, environmental NGOs, interest groups and elected representatives, and methods of public display improved in order to foster increased engagement from the public and greater participation from stakeholders,” the statement added.

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