KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — Malaysia’s path to developed status requires a sustainable physical plan that puts the environment first over profit, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
The message underlined the Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) government push for what it termed as equitable development, with emphasis on green policies in its growth plan.
“We have seen the impact of disorganised development and constructions of skyscrapers only for profit,” he said in a speech delivered at the Taman Tugu Earth Day celebration here.
Earth Day will be celebrated on Monday.
“We must realise that our effort to become a developed nation will not be realised or recognised if the only development we see are tall skyscrapers, while our rivers are polluted and our forests baron land,” the prime minister added.
Taman Tugu, a 26-hectare park located right at the heart of the capital city, is among projects under Putrajaya’s sustainable agenda.
Some 4,000 types of rainforest trees were planted around the land as a way to educate the public about the country’s rich flora.
PH made the environment a key campaign issue, and immediately tightened regulation after it took office as it pushed for greener policies.