Felt like I was going back to university, says Nik Nazmi

 

INTERVIEW | Barely a month into his new job, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad reflected on just how broad a portfolio he had and how steep the learning curve is.

“This is a job where every day is not the same. I really felt that I was going back to university and absorbing information and learning stuff and reading stuff. But I have no complaints.

“A job like a cabinet minister is not something you can expect or easily prepare for in advance. You can have your interests, but if you get it, it is a privilege to serve,” Nik Nazmi told Malaysiakini when asked if he would have chosen to take on this ministerial portfolio if the choice was totally up to him.

He said that one step he took was to speak to former ministers Takiyuddin Hassan, who was the energy and natural resources minister in Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration, and Yeo Bee Yin, who served as energy, science, technology, environment and climate change minister when Pakatan Harapan took office in 2018.

“It was very helpful to get a grasp of the ministry, especially as there are portfolios that are being merged. It is a very broad ministry. It was good to get some ideas or pointers from them. Ironically, my father (Nik Ahmad Nik Hassan) who is 92, was the very first KSU (secretary-general) of the Tenaga, Telekom and Pos Ministry back in 1978!

“But now things have changed massively - if you just look at how TNB has evolved. This is a very current ministry. There are a lot of international interfaces. We have to engage with the public as well, for instance on issues like energy and water tariffs.

“Also, environmental NGOs have grown, year by year. They are passionate and knowledgeable and they are very young. I've engaged with quite a number of them since I came to the office,” he shared.

Change of mindset

A prolific writer, Nik Nazmi has authored four books. These are: ‘Moving Forward: Malays for the 21st Century’ (2009); ‘Coming of Age: A Decade of Essays 2001–2011’ (2011); ‘May 9: Notes From the Frontline’ (2018); and ‘Malaysian Son: A progressive's political journey in the heart of Southeast Asia’ (2022).

One of the battles that are always cited is that of environmental concerns versus economic demands. Nik Nazmi believes that a change of mindset is critical at this juncture.

Mangrove swamps are a natural defence against floods

“I think we have to confront the argument, where it's not a choice because you can do things that are good for the environment and that are also economically profitable.

“Let's look at oil palm plantations. The old argument is that oil palm plantations will involve getting rid of mangrove swamps, which are actually a natural defence against floods.

“I mean the palm oil industry has contributed enormously to the country. I think we appreciate that in many ways some of our players have really improved in terms of sustainability and all that.

“But we have to have broader thinking if we play our cards right. Mangrove swamps are one of the best carbon sinks that you can have (which absorb more carbon than they release).

“They are better than jungles and we have a natural advantage. I think we really have to re-look at our policy because it might be worthwhile to preserve or replant our mangroves more than actually planting oil palm,” he said.

Nik Nazmi said this would require a proper holistic policy in place.

“One of the most important things is the Climate Change Act because then we can look at carbon pricing. Bursa has started a carbon market but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

“One of the things that even the previous government was committed to was the Climate Change Act. And yes, this week, I did summon staff to get a briefing on the preparation of the draft Act.

“So, I'm asking for it to be expedited because I think it's very urgent. I mean, the fact that it is necessary, and also part of our compliance with the various conventions, whether we like or not the demands of the international economy, and all that.

“I think that we have to do it sooner, rather than later. In fact, the first day that the new Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul was elected, I wrote to him to say that we want to have the establishment of the special Select Committee on Environment and Climate Change,” Nik Nazmi said.

He added that the purpose of this committee will be to assist the government in drafting clear policies in regard to climate change. - Mkini