PENANG is committed to creating a sustainable environment and supporting the green ecosystem in the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state has always emphasised the importance of a sustainable environment to achieve a green economy by 2030.
“In fact, we also aim to become a high-income, caring, inclusive, low-carbon and resilient state that focuses on the integrity of its people by 2050.
“When we touch on sustainable environment, there are three main pillars – water, energy and climate. All these three aspects are relevant to support the ecosystem.
“The practice of sustainable environment is to ensure a long term of environmental quality,” he said in his speech before officiating the Karnival Alam Kita 2023 at Batu Kawan today.
Penang is the first state chosen by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change to organise the two-day event, which started yesterday (March 11).
Various activities were held during the carnival, such as aerobics, basketball, archery, darts, singing, drawing and karaoke session.
Chow thanked the ministry for giving Penang an opportunity to become the first state to host the event.
“We are proud of this remarkable achievement and this shows our ongoing effort to promote green initiatives,” he added.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad praised the state for its commitment to hosting the event.
“Penang is synonymous with its culture and tourism industry. We are delighted to have our event held here and we hope this can help to promote a sustainable environment among the community,” he said.
Nik Nazmi said the people who attended the event were also briefed on the development of renewable energy, adding that the public could explore various benefits of such a programme.
When asked by a reporter at the sidelines of the event, Nik Nazmi said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Penang South Islands (PSI) project has yet to be approved.
“We are still studying and evaluating it as a thorough study is needed,” he said, adding that the submission had been made in January this year.
Among those present were his deputy minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik and Machang Bubok assemblyman Lee Khai Loon.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis