Rosli Omar
rosliomar@fastmail.fm
posted 26 July 2019
18 July, the environmental NGO, Peka, and other environmentalists march to parliament to protest destruction of forests and other natural habitats that is causing a lot of damage to wildlife, the environment and livelihoods especially that of the Orang Asli who very much depend on the forests.
They are demanding parliament add a new clause to the constitution that declares a healthy environment is a human right to citizens; demanding that states, especially the Menteris Besar or Chief Ministers, are limited in their ability to allow projects that impact the environment, eg, logging, de-gazetting forest reserves, and mining; demanding that heavier fines are imposed on environmental law-breakers; and demanding that states establish a Council of Forest Experts to oversee projects so as not to impact forests and the environment.
PEKA president, Sharifah Sabrina prepping the crowd before the march, starting from Padang Merbok.
The group from Otai Reformis, a supporter of the “reformasi” movement, started after the ouster of Anwar Ibrahim from government by Dr Mahathir in 1998.
“Return the forests for our children”
Lim Teck Wyn has been fighting for the environment ever since the first time I met him many years ago. Now doing a PhD on elephants.
She’s already losing her voice even before the march starts.
The group from Janda Baik, except Damien of Peka in the middle. TNB is putting electrical transmission lines in the forest reserves surrounding the community thus destroying the forests as well as polluting the streams that they need to attract visitors. The transmission lines and their towers too destroy the esthetics of Janda Baik.
Peka has been involved with many Orang Asli/Asal communities. They are very much affected by logging and “development”.
The march is going to start finally, about 930am.
Heng Kiah Chun, in black, of Greenpeace.
The Aslis, with their traditional head gear, form a large contingent in the march.
Quite a number of young activists taking part.
Climate activists from Kamy (Klima Action Malaysia)
Marchers have reached the end point some 200m from parliament. Sharifah Sabrina waiting for a deputy minister to visit and invite her and delegation in.
The deputy minister from KATS (Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources).
Those wearing a tie are part of the delegation into parliament.