10/06/2026

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026

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Enforcement of green policies remains weak, says NGO

Penang gazettes 15 heritage sites

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

helping to raise public awareness on the importance of protecting natural habitats. He said such releases are conducted periodically, particularly when there is a surplus of suitable wildlife that could contribute to species enrichment in selected habitats. Among the locations that have benefited from previous species release programmes is Langkawi Island, where the released wildlife has shown positive adaptation to its natural environment. “The survival of wildlife depends greatly on the availability of food sources, suitable habitats, water resources and breeding opportunities.” He also urged the public to play an active role in protecting wildlife by reporting illegal hunting activities, snare traps or the use of poison to the nearest department office. “Conservation is a shared responsibility and public cooperation is crucial in ensuring the sustainability of the country’s wildlife and natural ecosystems.” – Bernama The Cherok Tok Kun inscription, on the grounds of St Anne’s Church in Bukit Mertajam, is carved into a large boulder and bears Sanskrit text linked to early Hindu-Buddhist influences in the region 1,500 years ago. It was discovered in 1845 by British East India Company officer Colonel James Low. The remaining gazetted sites are the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce building, the Penang Museum Board building, the Municipal Building, the High Court, the Malay Mosque on Acheen Street, Sheikh Omar’s Tomb, the Leng Eng Seah Association building and the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower. GEORGE TOWN: Penang has for the first time gazetted heritage sites under its own state enactment, formally protecting 15 landmarks spanning the state’s prehistoric, colonial and multicultural history – 15 years after the law was passed. The sites, gazetted on May 7 under the Penang Heritage Enactment 2011, include Fort Cornwallis, the Guar Kepah Archaeological Site, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang Free School, Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, St George’s Church and the Cherok Tok Kun inscription. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the gazettement was the result of extensive documentation, research and stakeholder engagement, followed by evaluation and approval by heritage experts. He said no official state-level cultural heritage gazettement has been carried out under the enactment since it was passed in 2011, making the latest exercise the first of its kind. He described 2026 as a milestone year for heritage conservation in Penang, saying the scale of the exercise marked an achievement not seen in decades. “More importantly, this gazettement effort reflects the diversity and inclusive spirit of Penang’s cultural heritage.” The 15 sites represent different chapters of the state’s history. For example, Fort Cornwallis, built by the British East India Company after Captain Francis Light landed in Penang in 1786, is the largest surviving fort in Malaysia and stands as a reminder of the state’s colonial and maritime origins. The Guar Kepah Archaeological Site in Seberang Perai contains evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back thousands of years and is known for the discovery of skeletal remains dubbed the “Penang Woman”.

o ‘Malaysia continues to rely on short-term development priorities but climate crisis requires broader structural changes’

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s green policies are failing to translate into meaningful action on the ground, with experts saying weak implementation and short-term development priorities are leaving the country increasingly exposed to worsening floods, heatwaves and environmental degradation. Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia (Grass Malaysia) president Mohd Yusaimi Md Yusof said although Malaysia has introduced numerous green policies and environmental initiatives, execution remains inconsistent, particularly at the local government level. “We continue to rely on short-term development priorities whereas the climate crisis requires broader structural changes, including in energy, transport, land use, food security and forest protection.” He emphasised that while natural factors contribute to environmental disasters, human activity in Malaysia often intensifies their impact. He cited deforestation, peatland exploitation, development in environmentally sensitive zones, poor drainage systems and weak land-use planning as key drivers behind worsening floods and landslides. He also referenced the Quranic reminder in Surah Ar-Rum, Verse 41, which highlights how environmental destruction is linked to human actions and negligence, serving as a call for reflection and reform. “This is not merely a weather issue, but also a matter of policy and development management,” he noted. On development priorities, Mohd Yusaimi noted that economic growth continues to take precedence over environmental protection in many decision-making processes. “There is a tendency to prioritise projects that generate rapid economic growth, even

Mohd Yusaimi called for a clearer national roadmap to reduce fossil fuel dependence, accelerate renewable energy adoption and strengthen forest conservation efforts. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

climate stress is already affecting human life and religious practices. Mohd Yusaimi added that environmental degradation is closely tied to issues such as water security, mental health, agriculture and cost of living pressures. A 2022 Health Ministry study found that around 30% of Malaysians experienced mental health issues, while environmental researcher Dr Qing Li, author of Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing , has warned that disconnection from nature could worsen both physical and psychological wellbeing. Looking ahead, Mohd Yusaimi urged Malaysia to prioritise forest protection, flood adaptation, energy transition, sustainable agriculture, public transport improvements, mental health support as well as stricter environmental enforcement over the next five years. “Malaysia does not lack green policies, but it still lacks sufficiently bold and consistent action,” he highlighted. “If we continue to prioritise short-term economic growth without accounting for environmental costs, we will simply pass this crisis on to future generations.”

when they have significant impacts on forests, water resources and local communities,” he said, adding that environmental costs are often undervalued. He noted that if long-term ecological and social impacts were properly accounted for, many development decisions would look very different. Mohd Yusaimi said NGOs are increasingly concerned that Malaysia’s climate response is not matching the urgency of the crisis. He called for a clearer national roadmap to reduce fossil fuel dependence, accelerate renewable energy adoption and strengthen forest conservation efforts. “Without stronger and more transparent commitments, green targets risk remaining promises that are difficult to measure and achieve,” he stressed. He also highlighted what he described as an under-appreciated issue, namely the direct link between environmental degradation and human wellbeing, including public health, safety and quality of life. He pointed to global extreme heat conditions, including reported fatalities during the 2024 haj season, as an example of how

Over 757,000 turtles hatched and released in Terengganu KUALA NERUS: A total of 757,869 baby turtles were hatched and released into the sea in Terengganu last year, underscoring the effectiveness of ongoing marine conservation efforts to protect endangered turtle species and preserve the country’s marine biodiversity. Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan was speaking to reporters after the release of 570 baby turtles at the Pulau Redang Marine Park in conjunction with World Oceans Day, themed “Protect the Sea, Sustain Fisheries”. He said Terengganu is the country’s primary nesting ground for green turtles, with key nesting sites located at Chagar Hutang Beach and Pasir Panjang Beach on Pulau Redang, Rantau Abang Beach in Dungun as well as Geliga Beach and Ma’Daerah Beach in Kemaman. and awareness programmes were conducted during the year to enhance public understanding on the importance of protecting marine ecosystems and endangered wildlife. “Protecting turtles means protecting marine ecosystems, safeguarding fisheries resources and preserving the nation’s natural heritage for future generations.”

Adnan Hussain said the achievement was recorded under the Terengganu Turtle Management and Conservation Programme, which also documented 13,180 green sea turtle nests and the collection and incubation of 1.07 million turtle eggs in 2025. He said the programme recorded an encouraging hatching success rate of 71.07%, reflecting the effectiveness of conservation and incubation initiatives undertaken by authorities. “Every hatchling that returns to the sea represents renewed hope for the survival of this species and serves as an important indicator of the health of the marine ecosystem that we collectively inherit and strive to preserve.”

Meanwhile, Wildlife and National Parks Department director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said 32 wildlife specimens, comprising mammals, birds and birds of prey, were released in conjunction with the World Oceans Day celebration. The release involved 22 jungle fowl, four woodcocks, two porcupines and four eagles from three species, namely the red-backed sea-eagle (brahminy kite), changeable hawk-eagle and white-bellied sea-eagle. Abdul Kadir said the wildlife release programme forms part of the country’s broader biodiversity conservation efforts while also

In addition to green sea turtles, the programme recorded 308 leatherback sea turtle nests and 23 hawksbill sea turtle nests throughout the past year. According to Adnan, conservation efforts have also contributed significantly to the state’s ecotourism industry. In 2025, turtle conservation centres in Terengganu attracted 219,095 visitors, including 185,804 visitors to the Turtle Conservation and Information Centre in Rantau Abang. He added that 186 conservation education