Include sustainable environment in constitution, Suhakam urges govt

 

Suhakam chairman Rahmat Mohamad says it is pushing for the government to include the right to a clean and healthy environment in the constitution. (Freepik pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Human rights commission Suhakam wants the government to include the right to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment in article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution.

Suhakam chairman Rahmat Mohamad said this is in line with the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on July 28, 2022 to declare access to a healthy environment a universal human right.

Rahmat Mohamad.

Article 5(1) states that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty, save in accordance with the law.

“We want the government to review Article 5(1) to include the right to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment,” Rahmat told FMT. “We are pushing for this.”

He said it is time for the government to pay special attention to the environment because of climate change and other rampant environmental issues.

Rahmat said that with the right to a healthy and clean environment enshrined in the constitution, enforcement on environmental issues could be tightened and there would be a renewed focus on the environment.

“This is something serious across the world, and I think the public will support this move,” he said. - FMT