Johor assembly sets up climate change committee

 

The proposal for the formation of the climate change committee was debated by the Johor state assembly over five days. (Bernama pic)

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor state assembly has unanimously approved the formation of a 13-member committee on climate change and natural disasters.

Seven assembly members from the government and six from the opposition are members of the committee.

A proposal for the formation of the committee was debated by 56 assemblymen over five days from March 19, said deputy speaker Samsolbari Jamali today, the last day of the assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar.

The menteri besar, Onn Hafiz Ghazi, said in his winding-up speech that climate change is an important matter which must be given serious attention as it affects the lives of the people and the future of Johor.

“The committee, to be chaired by Pemanis assemblyman Anuar Abd Manap, will examine laws and regulations related to climate change and flood disaster management,” he said.

Onn Hafiz said the committee also has a role in studying the initiatives taken in dealing with climate change and the effectiveness of flood mitigation processes and measures at the district and state levels holistically.

He said the committee would also study alternatives in tackling floods in any area whenever there was heavy and continuous rain.

“In fact, this committee will study solutions that can be taken to minimise property and infrastructure damage due to flooding, including the proposed relocation of residents.

“This committee will also suggest improvements that can be taken by relevant departments and agencies in dealing with the impact of climate change and floods,” he said.

The committee comprises seven assemblymen from the government and six from the opposition. Its formation is in response to the reminder by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, that Johoreans should cultivate environmentally friendly practices, maintain cleanliness and reduce environmental pollution.

The committee members are Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup), Zulkurnain Kamisan (BN-Sri Medan), Nor Rashidah Ramli (BN-Parit Raja), Tan Chong (PH-Bekok), Selamat Takim (BN-Sungai Balang), Fauziah Misri (BN-Penawar), Najib Samuri (BN-Parit Yaani), Chen Kah Eng (PH-Stulang), Gan Peck Cheng (PH-Penggaram), Amira Aisya Abd Aziz (Muda-Puteri Wangsa), Liow Cai Tung (PH-Johor Jaya) and Alwiyah Talib (PN-Endau). - FMT