We would like to express our gratitude to the Government of Malaysia for re-tabling the 2023 Budget. We at ALAM stand committed to play an active role and support the Government in meeting its commitments made in relation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Themed “Developing Malaysia MADANI”, the re-tabled 2023 Budget focuses on 12 main initiatives based on three (3) aspirations; Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Drive, Institutional and Governance Reforms to Restore Confidence, and Social Justice to Moderate Disparities. It also focuses on green practices and sustainable development to ensure the proper management of natural resources and environment preservation. ALAM’s responses to the budget announcement are as follows:
Amanah Lestari ALAM (ALAM), is a company limited by guarantee, spearheaded by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB), and named under the 12th Malaysia Plan to support the implementation of environment and sustainability-related education initiatives and awareness programmes. ALAM achieves this through Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA), and is ready to participate in the initiatives highlighted in the budget with special focus on steering mind-set and behavioural change in society.
The Government has presented a holistic budget to promote the proper management of natural resources and environmental preservation by announcing allocations totalling RM209 million for clean river initiatives , RM1 billion for flood mitigation plans, RM38 million for endangered species preservation, and coastal erosion mitigation plans in Kedah, among others. These will have a direct positive impact on biodiversity conservation. In addition, RM3.0 billion was allocated for Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS), with plans to extend and improve the Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) and Green Income Tax Exemption (GITE), among others.
ALAM applauds the Government’s commitment to allocate a budget of RM150 million under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) for Biodiversity Conservation as compared to RM70 million allocated last year to preserve biodiversity, carry out forest management and reduce State Governments’ dependence on timber products.
The Government has recognised the contributions of the Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) by the expansion of the nationwide Community Ranger Initiative with a budget of RM50 million, with priority also given to indigenous people.
ALAM also hopes that with the renewed focus on green practices and sustainable development given by the Government, an enhancement of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 can be looked into, to ensure that crimes against the environment would be given the focus that it deserves.
The Budget also re-affirms the Government’s commitment to push forward the SDG goals as a collaborative initiative between the Government, communities and industry by increasing the allocation for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and All-Party Parliament Group from RM20 million to RM30 million. ALAM is confident that this will support global initiatives towards the Government of Malaysia’s commitment to:
- Protect at least 30% (land & ocean) of the planet by 2030;
- Help mobilise financial resources to ensure protected areas are properly managed; and
- Adopt an approach towards biodiversity conservation that fully integrates and respects indigenous leadership and indigenous rights.
The above responses are in line with ALAM’s existing initiatives with stakeholders and align with the PROTECT 30X30 Global Biodiversity Framework. ALAM is also confident that the Government’s efforts will continue to steer Malaysia towards achieving the 2030 UN SDGs targets.
By Datuk Ali Abdul Kadir, Chairman, ALAM
