03/04/2025

THURSDAY | APR 3, 2025

11

Bridge over troubled waters T HE world is never free from conflict. It can be over territorial ownership, as seen in Gaza or the pursuit of valuable oil reserves, which has also led to Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater use, often inefficiently, leading to depletion of water resources. COMMENT by Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim

Countries are collaborating through treaties and organisations to manage shared water resources. Examples include the UN Water Convention and the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan. The Sustainable Development Goal Six aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. It is still uncertain whether this can be achieved. Many countries are adopting water-saving technologies, such as drip irrigation in agriculture and water recycling in industries. They are leading in water conservation, using desalination, wastewater recycling and efficient irrigation systems. Governments and organisations are building and upgrading water infrastructure, including dams, pipelines and treatment plants. For example, China’s South-North Water Transfer Project aims to address water scarcity in the north by diverting water from the south. Countries are implementing stricter regulations on industrial discharge and agricultural runoff. The European Union’s Water Framework Directive sets standards for water quality and ecosystem protection. Nations are investing in climate-resilient water management, such as rainwater harvesting, flood control systems and drought resistant crops. The Netherlands is a pioneer in flood management, using innovative techniques like floating homes and water-absorbing urban designs. NGOs and governments are working with local communities to improve access to clean water and sanitation. Programmes like WaterAid and Charity: Water focus on providing sustainable water solutions in developing countries. Advances in technology, such as desalination, smart water metres and AI-based water management systems, are helping optimise water use. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing heavily in

skirmishes. But increasingly, many see water as the next reason for conflict, which can even escalate into war. Water is a critical resource for life, ecosystems and economic development, yet it faces numerous global challenges. These include scarcity, pollution, unequal access and the impacts of climate change. Many countries share water resources. Many rivers run through many countries. A good example is the Nile, which flows through countries including Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, the main ones. Similarly, the Mekong River is shared by countries in Indochina. Water scarcity is becoming more prevalent. Over two billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress, and about four billion people face severe water scarcity at least one month per year. Causes include over extraction of groundwater, population growth and inefficient water use in agriculture, industry and households. Water pollution is a regular occurrence. Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff (pesticides and fertilisers) and untreated sewage contaminate freshwater sources. Pollutants like microplastics and heavy metals further degrade water quality, threatening human health and ecosystems. Millions of people, particularly in developing countries, lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Marginalised communities, including women and children, are disproportionately affected. It is no secret that climate change exacerbates water issues by altering precipitation patterns, causing droughts, floods and glacial melt. Rising temperatures increase evaporation rates, reducing water availability in already arid regions. Transboundary water conflicts have become inevitable. Shared water resources (rivers, lakes and aquifers) often lead to disputes between countries, especially in regions like the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

Water is a global issue that requires coordinated efforts at local, national and international levels. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

desalination to meet their water needs. Campaigns to raise awareness about water conservation and sustainable practices are being implemented globally. Schools and communities are being educated on the importance of reducing water waste and protecting water sources. International financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, are funding water projects in developing countries. Public-private partnerships are also being leveraged to finance water infrastructure and innovation. Challenges remain in addressing water issues. Many developing countries lack the financial resources to invest in water infrastructure and technology. Transboundary water disputes and domestic politics can hinder cooperation and implementation of solutions. Rapid urbanisation and population growth increase

pressure on water resources. Predicting and adapting to climate change impacts remains a significant challenge. Water is a global issue that requires coordinated efforts at local, national and international levels. While progress is being made through technological innovation, international cooperation and community engagement, much work remains to ensure sustainable water management for future generations. Addressing water challenges is not only essential for human survival but also for achieving broader sustainable development goals. ProfDatuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is from the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI policy and IISDS, UCSI University. He is also an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies at Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Being right is not enough – kindness and compassion matter too

If we forget this, we risk becoming a society that is technically correct but morally lost. We do not want a society stripped of compassion, empathy and humanity. This is not a call to ignore wrongdoing. It is not about choosing sentiment over substance. But we must recognise that in a diverse and multiracial nation like Malaysia we also need compassion and empathy. We need moral clarity. As we enter this season of bermaaf-maafan , let us not limit our reflection to just family and friends. Let us also reflect on how we treat others, especially those who are different from us or those we may not agree with. The true strength of a nation lies not in how loudly it argues but in how gently it listens. Let this Raya be not just a celebration but a reminder – that as Malaysians, our shared future depends on remembering the humanity in one another. Ng Kor Sim State Assemblywoman for Jementah Johor

that his lung cancer had spread, the reactions from some social media users were disturbing. Some mocked his illness. Others expressed cruel wishes not fit for publication. Disagreeing with someone’s politics is one thing but celebrating their suffering is something else entirely; it signals a deeper erosion of our moral compass. These incidents, while different in nature, point to the same troubling trend – a growing loss of empathy in how we deal with each other. Being right – legally, historically or factually – is not the same as being kind. We can uphold rules while still respecting people. We can enforce the law without stripping away dignity and we can criticise without dehumanising. All our faiths teach this. Islam places great emphasis on mercy and ihsan – doing what is good and beautiful. Christianity teaches grace. In Hindu and Buddhist teachings, dharma represents the path of righteousness – a call to act justly, with compassion and purpose. Across traditions, we find the Golden Rule: do not do to others what you would not want done to you.

LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

“We can uphold rules while still respecting people. We can enforce the law without stripping away dignity and we can criticise without dehumanising.

AS Malaysians celebrate Hari Raya, we are reminded of what binds us – forgiveness, compassion and the shared values that hold our diverse nation together. Just a day before Hari Raya, the Telugu community welcomed the Ugadi New Year. During this period, many Chinese families also observe Qing Ming by honouring their ancestors. And soon, Christians will mark Good Friday and Easter. These observances are not just reminders of our diversity. They reflect the deep cultural and spiritual roots that shape our shared Malaysian identity. And yet, as a nation, we seem to be drifting further apart. In recent weeks, the proposed relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple in Kuala Lumpur has stirred strong emotions and public debate. For some, this is a matter of heritage, identity and a deep sense of belonging that spans generations. At the same time, the situation also involves legal and administrative

considerations such as matters of land ownership, planning and legacy issues. But beyond the specifics, a larger question emerges: How do we handle disagreement in a diverse society? Do we pause to listen? Do we put ourselves in the other party’s shoes? Or are we too quick to take sides, to simplify complex issues or to respond with anger rather than understanding and empathy? Have we lost our humanity? This question of empathy was again brought to mind by another recent incident involving an unlicensed balloon trader along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur, who was involved in a scuffle with enforcement officials. The circumstances may have been different but the questions remain the same. Was there room for dialogue? Could compassion have guided the response, even as rules were upheld? And more recently, when a controversial political figure disclosed