In efforts to build a more sustainable Malaysia for the future of the planet, Amanah Lestari Alam (“ALAM”) – an Environmental Education Fund organised its first stakeholders’ engagement workshop, virtually. ALAM’s strategic direction, its tagline Transforming Minds, Nurturing Hearts and logo was unveiled during the all-day event.
ALAM, a company limited by guarantee mooted by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (“BPMB”) under the patronage of Ministry of Finance was kick-started in 2019 and is aimed at creating awareness and instilling whistle blowing culture on environment, through education.
ALAM’s mission is to change the behaviours of Malaysians on environment through long-term, inter-generational and education-focused initiatives, whilst forging strategic partnerships with public, private sectors and civil societies as well as advocating policy with the regulators and ministries for improved governance.
ALAM successfully organised its first engagement session with various stakeholders from key Ministries, corporates, regulators, academia, NGOs, associations and youth groups. The workshop which was moderated by Messrs Ernst & Young with support from Ministry of Environment and Water (“KASA”), Ministry of Energy and Natural resources (“KETSA”), WWF Malaysia and UNDP Malaysia advocated healthy discussions, and sharing sessions between all relevant stakeholders to address environmental related challenges that are happening in the society today and the best way forward.
The findings from this workshop will be used to map and align the current challenges, the gaps and overlaps in the eco-space. They will be prioritised and common initiatives will be promoted for cluster collaboration and provide a meaningful bridge to various stakeholders, so that change in behaviours amongst all Malaysian could take place across all age segments.
In his keynote address, Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Zakri Hamid shared his vision, mission, and aspirations for ALAM, “as the world revolves, we are witnessing global warming, climate change, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution issues. Three years ago, the intergovernmental platform on biodiversity loss and ecosystem (“IPBES”) declared that one million species are being threatened. Back home, we heard the plight of the Sumatran Rhino, the Malayan tiger, the long suffering Orang Utan, and the Flora we have lost – before even we name them – species that could potentially cure chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Occasionally every now and then, we are shocked with horrific environmental disasters like the collapse of the Highland Towers, the landslide in Cameron Highland, the pollution of Sungai Kim Kim, and currently the destruction of Tasik Chini.”
He added “COVID-19 has allowed us to reset our goals and commitments. We need to take care of the environment. We need to conserve biodiversity and stop climate change! Let me just highlight three areas of potential for ALAM. One is education. Helping the schools and universities foster education in conservation. Second on improved governance. Helping our political leaders develop better policies, strategies and programmes. Recently, the global campaign for nature, which I’m also the current Science Advisor has shown that there’s economic value in conserving nature. So it’s not just only for conserving nature, but also for economic and social wellbeing. Thirdly, there’s hope to foster synergistic collaborations between the government, private sector, and civil society. We will identify the gaps and detect the overlaps so that the transformative change in the mindset of Malaysians regarding the environment, will be achieved – maybe by 2030. This may be our last chance!
