15/08/2025

FRIDAY | AUG 15, 2025

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Push for local action on global environmental policies

Call for boost in safety measures for water transport KUALA LUMPUR: The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has called for enhanced safety measures in water transport and related activities, particularly in the tourism sector, in line with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026). In a statement, NIOSH said tourism boat operators and handlers must comply with laws and safety standards. This includes technical requirements under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and tourism safety guidelines issued by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry. “Various incidents involving water transport, including the capsizing tragedy in Pulau Perhentian that claimed lives and injured several victims on June 28, should serve as a reminder to all parties of the importance of adhering to safety procedures for the well-being of passengers, workers and tourism operators.” To this end, the agency expressed its readiness to assist relevant parties in complying with related laws and regulations through safety training, compliance audits and the strengthening of risk management systems. NIOSH added that the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022, enforced since June 1 last year, requires employers with five or more workers to appoint an occupational safety and health (OSH) coordinator. These coordinators are responsible for assisting employers in complying with OSH legislation and implementing OSH programmes in the workplace. “In this regard, NIOSH also offers the OSH coordinator course and various other programmes to help operators meet legal requirements, such as basic OSH and first aid training, which also includes water rescue skills. “In addition, NIOSH offers an internationally recognised management system known as the ‘Adventure Tourism Safety Management Systems’ . “This system is designed to help operators identify risks, plan safety controls and provide requirements for participants.” The agency also said through the implementation of the system, safety audits and evaluations should be conducted to ensure that the operations of the parties involved comply with standards and regulations. – Bernama

“These milestones are not just agreements on paper, but living commitments to build cities that are sustainable, people-centred and climate-resilient.” On behalf of the participants, Nga also formally submitted the Kuala Lumpur Sustainable Declaration on Localising Asean Community Vision 2045 as an official input to the 47th Asean Leaders’ Summit in October. “This declaration sends a message that without action, we risk fracturing our cities and increasing disparity in equity distribution.” His proposal to integrate the New Urban Agenda into UNFCCC would mark the first time urban priorities are formally embedded within the climate change framework, ensuring that global environmental policies translate into actionable measures for local governments. He said the Kuala Lumpur Call to

Action for COP30 would drive this mission forward and serve as a rallying point for governments, cities and communities ahead of the UN climate talks in Brazil. The next AGMF and MGMAC would be held in Manila in 2026, while Kuala Lumpur would welcome international visitors for Visit Malaysia 2026. He also said the gatherings this week are “a testament to the strength of Asean cooperation” and a step toward shaping cities that are “inclusive, innovative, sustainable and united in purpose.” He added that Malaysia would continue to mobilise its 156 local governments to align climate policies with local development plans, budgeting and on-ground projects, reinforcing its position as a global best practice in multi-level governance.

inclusive and climate-resilient cities. Nga, who also serves as UN-Habitat Assembly president, said the meetings were proof of Asean’s shared recognition that urbanisation is no longer just the backdrop to development, but “the driving engine of our future.” “Urban leadership is not a choice, it is a necessity. Local voices are not peripheral, they are pivotal. “The future of Asean must not be written from the top down, but co-authored by our cities, our communities and our people.” He added that the region’s collective commitment safeguards the well-being of nearly 700 million people in Asia against challenges such as climate change, housing affordability and urban sprawl. The following are key outcomes from the forum. Asuf – Reaffirmed alignment with the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy and Asean Community Vision 2045. Malaysia will establish an Asean Smart and Sustainable Centre, led by Urbanice Malaysia, to support innovative, scalable projects and facilitate city-to-city partnerships under the Asean Smart Cities Network. AGMF – Adopted shared commitments to promote greater inclusion of women and youth in urban governance, reinforcing the importance of bottom-up approaches to sustainability. MGMAC – Adopted the Joint Communique of MGMAC 2025, agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Jakarta, formalised the MGMAC City Network, advanced Voluntary Local Reviews and issued a call for international investment at the local level, including from the UN and World Bank. life-threatening health risks. “The chemicals used in the production of plastic could cause breathing problems, deformities and stunted brain development. “Plastic factories are also prone to fires, which could endanger lives and cause damage.” RCM added that microplastics have been found in human tissue, which could lead to health problems such as increased risk of breathing ailments, disruptions to reproductive and gastrointestinal health and cancer. RCM said the plastic industry is the fastest growing producer of industrial greenhouse gases in the world.

o Move ensures no one and no place left behind in urbanising world: Minister

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will, for the first time, push to integrate the New Urban Agenda into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a landmark move aimed at ensuring that global environmental policies translate into action at the local level. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming yesterday launched the Kuala Lumpur Call to Action for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), to be presented at the UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil in November. “This initiative will be the central engine driving our collective efforts. “I urge everyone to not just participate, but to actively lead and champion this cause. We must ensure that no one and no place is left behind in our urbanising world,” he said at the closing ceremony of the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (Asuf), Asean Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) and Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals (MGMAC) 2025. The week-long gatherings brought together more than 9,000 participants from across Asean and beyond, culminating in commitments to strengthen cooperation in building sustainable,

Nga (fourth from left) during the closing ceremony of the Asuf, AGMF and MGMAC 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

NGO calls for govt to address plastic pollution

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The group also called for better product design to promote reusability, stricter control of plastic-related chemicals and waste prevention through reuse and refill systems. It cautioned against alternatives such as certain biodegradable plastics and chemical recycling, that it said could harm both people and the environment. “RCM hopes that the government would commit to these (goals). “We believe that sustainable development depends on a healthy population. “This could be a turning point to end plastic pollution.”

“This growth is due to the production, usage and disposal of plastic, that is expected to contribute up to 13% of the total remaining carbon budget by 2050.” RCM urged measures to protect human health from the hazards of plastic production, use and disposal, including stronger research, monitoring and compensation for affected communities. It said global action should replace ineffective voluntary measures, with binding targets to cut plastic production, eliminate hazardous chemicals and phase out unnecessary products.

PETALING JAYA: Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) has called on the government to commit to a global plastic treaty, adding that the problem is serious. “Single-use plastic contributes to 50% of plastic production. Even with the increase in recycling efforts, 70% of plastic waste would still be burned or burried in landfills,” RCM said in a statement on Wednesday. It also said plastic exacerbates the dangers of climate change and explained how the chemicals used to manufacture plastic could cause

RM10 million for Negeri Sembilan tourism, heritage preservation efforts

SEREMBAN: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has allocated RM10.14 million to Negeri Sembilan this year as part of efforts to preserve heritage and strengthen its tourism sector. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri

gateway (as well as) development of ecotourism at the Gunung Datuk Eco Forest Park, Kenaboi State Park and Ulu Bendul Eco Forest Park.” He also said the state saw a 35.1% rise in international tourist arrivals last year. – Bernama

to the Masjid Tanjung Beringin area, aimed at preserving Islamic history and traditional Malay architecture. “(Other projects include) the maintenance of landmarks at the Sunggala roundabout, Lukut-Sepang junction and the Port Dickson

destinations and reinforce the Visit Negeri Sembilan Year 2026 campaign,” he told reporters on Wednesday. He said one of the key projects is the RM1.2 million preservation and relocation of Masjid Lama Parit Istana

Aminuddin Harun said 18 tourism and preservation projects have been approved in districts, including Port Dickson, Kuala Pilah, Rembau, Jelebu and Tampin. “All these projects would breathe new life into state tourism