Article: Malaysia will protect her bio-diversity: DPM

Published: Monday October 5, 2009 MYT 10:08:00 AM

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

mazwin@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: The Government will continue to implement programmes to protect the country's rich bio-diversity and conserve the environment, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Government was also committed to addressing environment-related problems, particularly garbage and solid waste disposal.

"We want to manage these issues well ... . It is still not too late for us to conserve the environment.

"We need to preserve God's gift to mankind and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and appreciate nature," he said when addressing staff of the Prime Minister's Department at its monthly gathering Monday.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that greed was also a "great destroyer" of the environment as hills were cut while rivers and lakes were polluted, all in the name of wealth.

He said as one of the top 10 countries in the world rich with bio-diversity, Malaysia was aware of the crucial need to protect its natural heritage.

Muhyiddin also said Putrajaya could be an example to local authorities on how a city can be developed with minimal damage to its surroundings, adding that the federal administrative capital was also a fine example on how to keep the place "clean and green."

The Deputy Prime Minister said civil servants could also play their part in saving the environment by conserving energy.

"Energy conservation is important not only because of the environment but also to reduce government expenditure.

"The Government is trying to reduce its deficit and we would appreciate it if everyone takes steps to make this happen. Even conserving energy would help," he said.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 5 October 2009