New Straits Times 1 Jan 13
JOHOR BARU: Representatives from various segments of society here expressed their wish for better things to come this new year.
Malaysia Nature Society Johor chairman Vincent Chow hoped more attention would be given to protect the environment.
He urged the state government to be serious in addressing river pollution as about 60 per cent of rivers in the state were polluted by household and factory effluents.
"It is my wish that the Department of Environment be more vigilant against people discarding waste into our waterways and carry out deterrent measures.
"We wish all heads of departments and politicians would attend courses on nature awareness and sustainability, so they can help the DOE in environmental issues."
Chow said without sufficient knowledge on the environment, decision-makers would not be aware of the seriousness of the matter, and this would jeopardise efforts to deal with the problem.
He also urged the state government to impose a ruling for all housing developers to set up a centralised sewerage system to ensure efficient management.
He said many of the sewerage systems in housing estates were decentralised and this did not augur well for the state capital.
For the benefit of wildlife, Chow hoped there would be a law to prevent plantation owners from encroaching on buffer zones at river banks, as this was vital for wildlife preservation.
"Buffer zones are important habitats for wildlife. Just let these areas be, and let wildlife have a place of their own to survive."
Malaysian Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar's wish for 2013 was for a quantum increase in funding and less red tape in government agencies.
He wanted more fields and opportunities to be opened up for the Indian community to allow every race to have a share in the country's economic pie.
"We need more co-existence in social, economic, education and employment policies for all the three major races.
"I believe this will greatly foster unity among the races."
Sivakumar hoped the government would carry on with its good work, adding that the year was rather promising as the government had remedied certain long-standing issues such as funding for small-and medium-sized industries.
Semarang assemblyman and state Umno information chief Datuk Samsol Bari Jamali hoped 2013 would be a better year for Malaysians.
"I also wish everything that the government has planned for the country will be implemented successfully and all of the country's ambitions will come to fruition.
"Lastly, I hope every Malaysian will have success in whatever they do," said Samsol.
