A FORMER Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) leader took pot shots at a minister following the massive floods which hit parts of Peninsula Malaysia over the weekend.
“There was a “Grade D” minister who had recently said that Malaysia is one of the few countries not affected by climate change. This person is in charge of the environmental and water portfolio.
“I’m not sure who gave him this nonsensical information. Maybe he did not read reports, misread them or got played out by his own officers.
“But I fear that even his officers come under the “Grade D” category. In my schooling years, you fail if you get the D mark, not get a distinction,” A Kadir Jasin said, in a Facebook page.
In April, Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that he was not invited to the 2021 Leaders’ Climate Summit as Malaysia was among the few countries that was not affected by climate change.
The PAS leader added that it was the major powers that contribute up to 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions of the world, which is causing global warming.
“The conference is a one-off event and doesn’t affect negotiations and resolutions passed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),” he was reported saying then.
On that note, Kadir, a veteran newsman, also criticised several media personnel for being oblivious on why the Klang Valley often gets flooded during monsoon season.
“Some even wrote on social media, asking why flood waters in the Klang Valley have not receded although the rain had stopped.
“If the minister and our reporters took some effort to study the matter, they will realise that there is a reason why this place is called the Klang Valley…note the word valley there.
“Valleys are located below the sea level, which is why we get affected frequently by floods and rising tides,” he noted.
Global warming showing its effects!
Citing examples, Kadir said that Pulau Indah in Selangor is only two metres above sea level, with some of its highest areas being six metres above sea level.
“So, when there is a high tide or giant waves, the island will get flooded. Bukit Cerakah, despite being a hill, there are areas there which is only two-metres above sea level,” he mentioned.
With global warming causing ice in the Artic and Antarctic to melt more often, Kadir said that sea water levels have risen to 21 centimetre in 2017, as opposed to 16 metres recorded in 1900.
While the rise may seem small, Kadir reminded its effects on climate and nature was immense, without taking into account other factors such as man-made environmental devastation which affected the planet’s ecosystem.
“It is estimated that about 410 million people live in areas which is about two-metres above the sea level, a huge risk if global warming is not addressed.
“Anyway, let us not take this matter lightly and appoint a minister who is more knowledgeable and convincing, not someone who just sits there to support the prime minister,” Kadir concluded. – Dec 20, 2021.
Pic credit: Bernama
