GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia’s own Environmental Performance Index (EPI) which is designed to gauge the performance of each state in managing environmental issues is scheduled to be implemented by next year.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Unggah Embas said the Cabinet had given the green light for the EPI to be carried out comprehensively.
The project is a joint effort between the ministry and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
“We need a yardstick to gauge the performance of each state,” said Douglas.
“At the moment, everything is based on verbal commitments. For example, we cannot compare Selangor with Penang (on which state has done better in managing environmental issues). We need something concrete for this purpose,” he said after visiting the Penang Land and Mines Office in Komtar yesterday.
Douglas said the EPI would be developed in line with the Global Environmental Perfor-mance Index.
He said some of the parameters for the measurement include socio-economic sustainability, resources efficiency, environmental governance and awareness as well as behaviour of the people.
“We are trying to make it as simple as possible so that it can be understood by everyone,” he said.
Douglas also said that Penang’s “e-Tanah” system, an integrated online system for land management and administration, has seen 250,000 transactions being processed between Jan 1 and Sept 30 of this year.
He said the number of transactions had doubled compared to the corresponding period last year.
When visiting Sungai Petani, Douglas said the Sungai Muda flood mitigation project was 5% ahead of schedule and it is likely to be completed on time.
The RM420mil project started in 2007 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.
Douglas said that more than 850 families living along Sungai Muda would benefit when it is completed.
The project will alleviate flooding in the area where the river banks will be raised to avert the overflow of water from the river, especially during heavy rain.
“Look at Thailand, which is affected by the worst floods in its history. We do not want a similar situation here. The Federal Government is planning ahead for the people, he said
Source : The Star Online
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