Latest news with #ChingThoo
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
3,000 community rangers to strengthen forest and wildlife protection
GEORGE TOWN: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) will increase the number of community rangers to 3,000 this year under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3), to curb illegal activities involving wildlife and forests. NRES secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo said the new appointments, comprising mainly members of the Orang Asli community as well as veterans of the armed forces and police, aim to strengthen protection efforts against encroachment in permanent forest reserves nationwide. "With the RM80 million allocation received this year, we plan to appoint up to 3,000 community rangers. "The impact has been positive so far, with reports indicating a clear reduction in illegal activities, especially poaching," he told reporters after launching the Jelajah Kelestarian Alam 2.0 programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday. "BP3 enables us to monitor forests more effectively and combat threats such as encroachment, illegal logging and poaching," he added. The programme, jointly organised by NRES, the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation and the Department of Environment (DOE), drew over 250 participants, including USM vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamed and DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. Meanwhile, Ching urged residents affected by wildlife disturbances that damage property or crops to apply for the Property and Crop Damage Compensation (BKHT). He said RM10 million was allocated for the programme last year, but only 10 percent was disbursed due to the low number of applications. "BKHT was introduced last year to assist victims facing significant losses due to human-wildlife conflicts. "The initiative will continue this year with an additional RM1.5 million," he said. He said the ministry is reviewing a proposal to increase the BKHT payout rate from 50 percent to 60 percent of the reported damages to better support affected individuals. "Based on records, most of these claims involve elephant-related damages, especially in Johor, Kelantan and Pahang. "There are also reports involving monkeys, though to a lesser extent," he said. – Bernama
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
National Climate Change Bill to be tabled in August
GEORGE TOWN: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) will table the National Climate Change Bill in August, said its secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo. He said the bill has been completed and is being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers. "The review process is being conducted after the NRES completed engagement sessions with state governments, as the implementation of the proposed law involves their jurisdictions. "We plan to table it in parliament during the next session in August. "It was previously postponed to June, but we needed time to fine-tune the bill," he told reporters after the launch of the Environmental Sustainability Road Tour 2.0 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday. Regarding the use of renewable energy (RE) in the country, Ching Thoo stated that Malaysia is on a positive trajectory towards achieving its 70 per cent RE capacity target, in line with the goals outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). "If we look at the current breakdown, it is largely dominated by solar panels, which I believe account for nearly 95 per cent. "According to the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry's data, we have reached approximately 40 per cent," he added. – Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
NRES to table National Climate Change bill in August
GEORGE TOWN: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) will table the National Climate Change Bill in August, said its secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo. He said the bill has been completed and is being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers. 'The review process is being conducted after the NRES completed engagement sessions with state governments, as the implementation of the proposed law involves their jurisdictions. 'We plan to table it in Parliament during the next session in August. It was previously postponed to June, but we needed time to fine-tune the bill,' he told reporters after today's launch of the Environmental Sustainability Road Tour 2.0 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here. In January, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stated that the ministry was finalising the bill with input from various stakeholders to ensure its comprehensiveness and relevance. Regarding the use of renewable energy (RE) in the country, Ching Thoo stated that Malaysia is on a positive trajectory towards achieving its 70 per cent RE capacity target, in line with the goals outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). 'If we look at the current breakdown, it is largely dominated by solar panels, which I believe account for nearly 95 per cent. According to PETRA (Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation) data, we have reached approximately 40 per cent,' he added.
Malaysiakini
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Environment Ministry to table Climate Change Bill in August
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) will table the National Climate Change Bill in August, said its secretary-general Ching Thoo. He said the bill has been completed and is being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers. 'The review process is...
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Ministry to table National Climate Change Bill in August
GEORGE TOWN: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry will table the National Climate Change Bill in August, says its secretary-general, Datuk Dr Ching Thoo. He said the bill has been completed and was being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers. "The review process is being conducted after the ministry completed engagement sessions with state governments, as the implementation of the proposed law involves their jurisdictions. "We plan to table it in Parliament during the next session in August. It was previously postponed to June, but we needed time to fine-tune the bill," he told reporters after Thursday's (May 29) launch of the Environmental Sustainability Road Tour 2.0 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here. In January, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stated that the ministry was finalising the bill with input from various stakeholders to ensure its comprehensiveness and relevance. Regarding the use of renewable energy (RE) in the country, Ching Thoo stated that Malaysia was on a positive trajectory towards achieving its 70% RE capacity target, in line with the goals outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). "If we look at the current breakdown, it is largely dominated by solar panels, which I believe account for nearly 95%. According to the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry data, we have reached approximately 40%," he added. – Bernama
