WHILE the initiatives to tackle deforestation and the decline in wildlife population announced in Budget 2025 mark a good start, they fall short of fully addressing these problems, say environmental groups and activists.
Among the measures announced is a RM80mil allocation to hire 500 additional community rangers to boost monitoring of wildlife and forests.
Currently, there are some 2,000 community rangers, comprising retirees and representatives from Orang Asli communities.
Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia president Andrew Sebastian said the number of rangers is still too small given the vast expanse of Malaysia’s forests.
“We hope the government could consider increasing the allocation and number of rangers in next year’s Budget,” he said.
Global Environment Centre director Faizal Parish said the funds are a recognition of the role played by indigenous communities in environmental protection.
“The money should be used to provide training and the know-how to empower them to safeguard our natural heritage.”
Budget 2025 also includes a RM250mil allocation under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer Fund designed to support efforts by state governments to conserve and preserve forests and wildlife.
However, Faizal said the figure is too low to reflect Malaysia’s aspiration of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
“The amount needs to be in the billions if we want the states to take the protection of their forests seriously,” he added.
Echoing his concerns, Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meena Raman said the amount is insufficient for the states to initiate significant reforms.
“The allocation, which is an increase from the previous RM200mil, is simply not enough,” she added.
Meena, however, lauded the government’s move to introduce a carbon tax on the iron, steel and energy industries.
“These industries release high amounts of carbon,” she said, adding that the tax should be expanded to include all high-level polluters.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his Budget speech yesterday, also announced a host of measures aimed at improving access to and production of renewable energy.
For example, there will be rebates of up to RM70mil to encourage consumers to buy energy-efficient electrical appliances.
The government is also set to widen the scope of tax exemptions to include the purchase of food waste composters for households until 2027.
Solar panels will also be installed at selected walkways and car parks in Putrajaya to accelerate its transformation into a green city.
