KUCHING: PKR president Datuk Anwar Ibrahim intends to end further logging in Sarawak by getting aid from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Recalling on his experience in Batang Ai, he firmly said that logging, deforestation, native customary rights (NCR) land, and livelihood issues, which have been going on for years, need to be properly addressed.
“I remember once when I was in Batang Ai there were trucks passing by carrying huge logs. What did the local people get? They were only covered with dust,” he said.
Anwar, who is also considered “prime minister-in-waiting” or prime minister-designate, explained that addressing such matters is for the welfare of the native people and the environment.
“The granting and existence of timber concessions, whether justified or otherwise, whether excessive or not, are related to social justice as they have effects on the natives and their livelihood,” he said.
On his stance to deal with the issues, he defined social justice as moral values of tolerance, universal justice, and compassion.
“I believe we should fight for all people and bring them together for the benefit of our nation.
“Malaysia, which is a democratic country, is about decency and habits of the heart” he said.
