Latest news with #NRES
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kelantan explores rare earth mining and new energy for revenue growth
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan government is actively exploring new revenue sources, including industrial mining of rare earth elements (REE), carbon exploration, and hydrogen energy development. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan stated these initiatives aim to diversify the state's income and reduce reliance on traditional revenue streams. 'We always identify new economic opportunities as future growth resources, including REE. Kelantan is the second state with the largest mineral resources of non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) in Malaysia,' he said during the State Legislative Assembly session at the Kota Darulnaim Complex. However, Mohamed Fadzli noted that progress must align with federal laws, particularly as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) finalises the National Climate Change Bill and National Carbon Market Policy. 'This is because the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) is at the final stage of tabling the National Climate Change Bill, in addition to the National Carbon Market Policy that is expected to be passed by the end of this year,' he explained. The state's cautious approach reflects the need to balance economic opportunities with regulatory compliance. Kelantan's NR-REE reserves position it as a key player in Malaysia's mineral sector, pending federal approvals. – Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia To Host 36th Meeting Of ASEAN Senior Officials On Environment In Langkawi
PUTRAJAYA, July 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will host the 36th Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN-36) in Langkawi, Kedah from July 28 to 31, in conjunction with the country's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), in a statement today, said the meeting serves as ASEAN's highest technical platform on environmental matters, bringing together senior officials from all 10 member states to strengthen regional policies, strategies and cooperation on environmental protection. 'ASOEN-36 will focus on biodiversity conservation, sustainable management of natural resources and joint actions to address climate change,' it said. The four-day meeting will commence with the ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change, which will be presented at the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP30), to ensure a more unified ASEAN voice in global climate negotiations. This will be followed by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Governing Board Meeting to deliberate on strategic direction, policies, programme implementation, and other aspects related to the management of the ACB in preserving regional biodiversity. According to NRES, the programme will also include the 19th ASEAN-Japan Dialogue on Environmental Cooperation (AJDEC), as well as dialogues with South Korea, the European Union and the United States. ASOEN-36 will involve seven technical working groups covering areas such as biodiversity, climate change, waste management, sustainable cities, and water resource management. A joint meeting with ASEAN Plus Three dialogue partners - China, Japan and South Korea - will also take place. The ministry said the hosting of ASOEN-36 provides Malaysia with an opportunity to showcase its environmental sustainability initiatives and achievements, while strengthening regional diplomacy in line with the Malaysia MADANI principles. 'This edition of ASOEN also emphasises sustainability in line with the Guideline for the Implementation of the ASEAN Sustainable Initiatives issued by NRES, focusing on carbon footprint reduction, efficient resource use and responsible waste management,' it said.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Interim ministerial appointments crucial ahead of parliament session
KUANTAN: The appointment of temporary ministers is crucial to handle key issues, especially ahead of the upcoming Parliament session, said Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Johari, who is also Umno vice-president, said the interim appointments are essential to manage pressing matters in the coming months, particularly during the parliamentary session scheduled from July 21 to August 28. "(The) NRES(Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry) post became vacant after Nik Nazmi(Nik Ahmad) stepped down, just as the Economy Ministry was left without a minister following Rafizi (Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's) resignation. In such cases, the Prime Minister appoints temporary ministers especially with Parliament about to convene." Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had informed the Cabinet during the July 9 meeting that Johari would assume the responsibilities of NRES Minister effective immediately. Meanwhile, on June 27, Shamsul Azri said that Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan would carry out the duties of the Economy Minister. "In Parliament, there are questions that need to be answered. The Economy Ministry, for example, must finalise matters related to the 13th Malaysia Plan and that is why temporary appointments are necessary to address urgent issues over the next one, two, or three months," he told reporters after opening the Kuantan Umno division delegates' meeting here today. Johari dismissed claims that his appointment signifies Umno gaining dominance in the Cabinet under Anwar, saying that the party only has 26 members of parliaments(MPs). "How can we dominate the Cabinet? Umno only has 26 is determined in Parliament, and the unity government collectively has about 148 MPs and that is where the strength lies," he said. Johari said that he did not attend the meeting between Anwar and several Barisan Nasional ministers and MPs held yesterday at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya.
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Only Perlis, FT adopted key forest law; Putrajaya warns slow state action risks 1992 Rio pledge
SHAH ALAM, June 29 — State governments have been urged to expedite the adoption of the National Forestry (Amendment) Act 2022 by amending their respective Forestry Enactments to support efforts in strengthening the preservation and conservation of the country's forested areas. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, said that to date, only the Federal Territory and Perlis have fully implemented the amendments in the law. 'The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) remains committed to enhancing efforts to preserve and conserve the country's forested areas. 'The government is steadfast in its pledge to maintain at least 50 per cent of the country's land area under tree and forest cover, in line with the country's commitment made at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992,' he said. He said this when opening the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign in conjunction with the 2025 International Forest Day celebration at the National Botanical Gardens here today. According to Huang, among other things being done to fulfil the commitment, include the gazetting of forest areas according to the importance of the role of the forests involved and increasing the allocation of financial incentives for Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT). 'The ministry has intensified efforts to gazette other forested areas as Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK), watershed and fully protected areas, as well as to gazette proposed HSK areas, particularly those located within the Central Forest Spine and Environmentally Sensitive Areas. 'The EFT allocation has been increased to RM250 million this year compared to RM200 million in 2024,' he said. The incentive, he said, can help the state governments to identify and implement high-impact projects for conservation purposes in line with the six scopes outlined for EFT project implementation in collaboration with the respective State Forestry Department. Commenting on today's programme, he shared that as of June 15, a total of 115.7 million trees, covering 1,972 species, have been planted nationwide, with 43.9 million trees in Peninsular Malaysia, 48.3 million trees in Sarawak and 23.5 million trees in Sabah. The target of 100 million trees was achieved a year earlier, on December 10, 2024, through the symbolic planting of the 100 millionth tree, which is of the Merbau species, by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Taman Herba, Parliament in Kuala Lumpur. 'Although the target number of plantings has been successfully achieved, this campaign will continue until the end of this year to realise the important objective of this campaign, which is to increase public awareness of the importance of trees and forested areas and to foster a love of nature,' he said. — Bernama
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
UM crowned champion of 31st Environmental Debate Competition
SERI ISKANDAR: Universiti Malaya (UM) emerged as the champion of the 31st Environmental Debate Competition held at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) here tonight, defeating 28 other institutions of higher learning. Represented by four debaters – Azhad Hafiz Md Razip Han, 22, Khairul Nur Ayuni Rodzan Khairul, 22, Aiesya Salsabila Mohd Radzuan, 23, and Ali Hydar Hafizi, 23 – UM took home the challenge trophy, accompanying trophy, RM12,000 cash prize, and certificates of participation. Although his team finished as runner-up, Ahmad Idzhad Hamzie, 21, a second-year Petroleum Engineering student, was named Best Debater and awarded a cash prize of RM2,000. Azhad Hafiz described the win as a hard-earned triumph, marking the team's long-awaited success after coming in second place in 2019. 'Back in 2019, we reached the final but only managed to be runners-up. This year, Alhamdulillah, we proved that UM can be champions,' he told Bernama. He added that environmental debate posed a unique challenge, requiring in-depth knowledge and understanding of issues to construct strong arguments. UTP secured second place and received an accompanying trophy, RM7,000, and certificates, while Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) came in third, winning RM2,000, a trophy, and certificates. The prizes were presented by deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Datuk Nor Yahati Awang. Also present were UTP provost Datuk Ir Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Professor Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain, who also chairs the University Debate Council (MADUM), and Petronas Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment vice president, Zamri Japar. In her speech, Yahati said the competition aligns with national aspirations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on quality education. 'Early exposure to intellectual discourse not only sharpens students' critical thinking but also nurtures a sense of responsibility for environmental protection. 'This competition serves not only as an academic platform but also as a key avenue to spread the message that environmental sustainability is a shared responsibility involving government, private sector, academia, and the public,' she said. She added that NRES believes environmental awareness should begin in schools and continue through higher education, proving that education can be a powerful driver for sustainable change. The event was organised by the Department of Environment (DOE) in collaboration with MADUM, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS).
