BY ARIANA FIDELIA
MIRI: Prioritising environmental emergency management is crucial to prevent pollution that adversely affects society.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) deputy chairman, Datuk Buckland Bangik, emphasised an orderly and systematic approach to handling emergency cases, such as environmental pollution, to ensure success.
He stressed that the primary objective is to prevent the oil and gas (O&G) industry’s operations from causing environmental pollution, which could lead to disasters.
“I am deeply concerned about emergency cases that can impact the well-being and health of the people, especially in Sarawak.
“Declared emergencies classified as disasters include floods, haze, and large-scale oil spills at sea.
“Oil spills contaminate the coast, affecting the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal resorts, and causing damage to sensitive environmental areas, flora, and fauna. These incidents also incur significant costs for cleaning and rehabilitation,” he stated.
Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UPKS) deputy director, Datuk Clarence Rote Sagon, read Buckland’s speech during the Ex Empurau Oil Spill Response Training programme on Wednesday.
Buckland emphasized the importance of implementing preventive actions at the initial stages to avert disasters that could ultimately harm the environment and society.
He highlighted that the Department of Environment (DOE) has developed several plans, including the Malaysia Oil Spill Contingency Plan (MOSCoP), the Sarawak Oil Spill Control Contingency Plan, the Malaysia Oiled Wildlife Response Plan (MOWRep), and the Coastal Cleanup Action Plan (PTPP), as efforts to prevent and respond to oil spill disasters.
“The preparation of these action plans is guided by the National Security Council’s Directive No. 20, which does not categorize oil spill incidents as disaster incidents.
“However, an oil spill incident fits the definition of a disaster as it represents a sudden, complex event that results in environmental destruction and impacts local community activities,” he explained.
Buckland also expressed his appreciation for the participation of all parties in the Ex Empurau Exercise, which aims to control and address pollution.
“I am aware that this exercise involves state government agencies under the Oil Spill Cleanup Committee, to test the authorities’ ability to clean beaches in the event of oil spills contaminating Sarawak’s shores.
“Therefore, I am confident and hopeful that this exercise will help all parties identify strengths and weaknesses in dealing with oil spills and effectively contribute,” he concluded.
