Audrey Dermawan
GEORGE TOWN: The formation of an Environmental Crime Unit is a step in the right direction, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said today.
SAM president Meenakshi Raman, in welcoming the announcement by Environment and Water Minister (Kasa) Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, said the move was indeed long overdue.
This was in light of recent events from illegal activities such as the dumping of toxic and industrial wastes into rivers such as the Klang Valley water pollution and the Sungai Kim Kim pollution, that adversely affected large numbers of the public, including school children.
She said other illegal activities such as logging, as well as the poaching and trade in wildlife, also deserved the same consideration as well.
"These matters are within the jurisdiction of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry (KeTSA). It will be good if the environmental crime unit is also extended to tackle illegal activities that destroy our forests and biodiversity resources as well, in addition to our water resources.
"Since water catchments are in forests, it makes total sense in taking care of these natural resources as well," she said today.
On Monday, Tuan Ibrahim announced the formation of the Environmental Crime Unit, a joint effort between three ministries, to monitor and fight environmental crimes nationwide.
The unit would involve a tripartite cooperation between Kasa, the Defence Ministry and the Home Ministry, and would come under police jurisdiction.
Meenakshi said, at the international level, wildlife trade had been linked to the emergence of the corona virus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said to prevent other such zoonotic diseases, it was vital that very high consideration be given to the protection of wildlife and biodiversity resources.
"So, we also propose that KeTSA and Kasa collaborate with the Defence and Home Ministries for the coordination of matters on crimes related to environment and natural resources.
"In addition, strong action must also be taken against officials in enforcement agencies, who have been derelict in their duties under the various laws to undertake effective monitoring and enforcement actions.
"It is pointless in having strong laws but weak implementation," she stressed.
Further, Meenakshi noted, the judiciary must give environmental offences and crimes very serious attention, with the imposition of maximum and deterrent sentences instead of simple fines, which allows the offenders to continue to pay and pollute.
"SAM agrees with Tuan Ibrahim that threats to natural resources can have detrimental effects on the lives of citizens as well as the economy, and therefore we must learn and act before other environmental disasters happen," she said.
