The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water is tasked to spearhead and coordinate the green technology development in Malaysia. As one of the outreach programmes, my Ministry, with the cooperation of Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) conducted the first Green Technology Road Show at Pullman Hotel, Kucing, Sarawak on 15th July 2010.
The seminar conducted during this roadshow aimed to provide a better understanding on the National Green Technology Policy, Green Technology Initiatives, The International Green Tech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference 2010 (IGEM 2010) and Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS).
This road show will be held in a few selected states; namely; Pahang, Johor, Perak and Sabah between September-December 2010. It is open to all prospective GT project developers (both producers and users) under energy, building, transport as well as water and waste sectors; GT consultants, related industries and businesses, research and development organisations, government agencies as well as non-government organisations.
Since I wrote on the above-mentioned subject in Febuary this year, there has been some progress with regards to the water industry as a whole. Perlis is the latest state which has completed its negotiations with officials from my Ministry and PAAB and the matter will be officially sealed next month. I wish to congratulate the Perlis State Government for taking this bold step to completely restructure the water industry in the State for the future of water consumers.
However, I cannot say I am happy with what has transpired or achieved as regards efforts to restructure the water industry in Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. So much efforts have been put into the processes since 2008 to try and hammer out an agreement whereby the water industry in Selangor can be put on a firm footing going into the future. Yet so little progress is made up till now. Here I want to refer to the lenghty negotiations that have been on the table since 2008. For any progress to take place, the parties concerned should adopt an attitude that some form of compromise settlement can be looked at seriously otherwise there will not be a settlement in sight. I am quiet sure all parties want to see a settlement. It is important that all efforts be made by all parties to arrive at an amicable solution. Let us leave politics off the negotiation table.
As there is still space for compromise resolution, I will not comment too much on the matter except to urge all parties to use all means within their control to bring about a proper resolution to the restructuring issue as soon as possible. Let us act realistically so that real progress can be made.
Green Building Index or GBI which is a voluntary cerfifying scheme organised by the PAM (Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia) and IEM (Institute Engineers Malaysia) jointly is being recognised by my Ministry (KeTTHA) as the pioneer body to set up this program in Malaysia. It is also appropriate that the GBI starts off as a voluntary program for those who wish to embrace it and my Ministry sees this as a positive development in the area of construction and building industry.
However, I have recently received complaints about the types of fees the professionals are charging for their services for the GBI scheme. I have spoken to the President of PAM on the issue and I do hope this matter can respond to the critics and justify their positive roles.
It is important that rules do not unnecessarily bring about a negative impact on the program. I am interested to see wider application of the program.
Last Friday, during my Ministry’s monthly gathering, we all assembled to make our PLEDGE on GREEN PRACTICES.
The Objectives are:
1. To reduce harm to the environment from our daily actions and activities at work;
2. To instill a “green value system” amongst all staff of KeTTHA;
3. To be able to spearhead green practices in public sector; and
4. To be able to disseminate and communicate effectively the benefits of going “green” to other members of the society.
Here’s our PLEDGE:
Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) recognizes the need and importance of Green Practices. We also recognize and acknowledge that our daily activities here at KeTTHA may have a direct or indirect negative impact on the community, local, regional and global environment.
We therefore pledge our commitment and our contribution to:-
• Minimize the negative impacts to the environment caused by our daily activities;
• Strive to meet the needs of the present sustainable development programmes without compromising the needs of the future generation; and
• Champion a sustainable future and the continued health of the planet.
You are welcome to get more info on KeTTHA’s Green Practices at:
http://www.kettha.gov.my/system/uploaded/files/Amalan-hijau-KeTTHA.pdf
At Malaysia Green Forum 2010, Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak spoke of AFFIRM, six components that form an ecosystem for environmental sustainability. They are:
- Awareness;
- Faculty;
- Finance;
- Infrastructure;
- Research, Development and Commercialization; and
- Marketing
To get more info on AFFIRM, you may follow YAB PM’s speech at:
http://www.pmo.gov.my/?menu=speech&news_id=263&page=1676&speech_cat=2
I had my first drive in an EV, a Proton Saga at the Ministry’s vicinity on 7 Jan 2010!
I was quite excited and drove it gingerly at first.
Full marks to the handling of the vehicle and Proton for this effort.
More should be done to make it a real possibility for Malaysians to drive EVs soon.
Green Technology is the no longer in the realm of science fiction. It is the way forward towards a sustainable environment in a coherent and integrated manner so as to ensure a brighter world for our future generations.
International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM2010) is not only to create greater awareness and promote the importance of green technology, but also to encourage our industries to be innovative in the fore-front of the green growth.
Continue reading ‘IGEM 2010;14-17 October 2010 @ KLCC, Kuala Lumpur.’
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