Budget 2021 allocates RM500 mln to preserve natural resources

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM500 million will be allocated to preserve natural resources through several initiatives to be implemented by the government, said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

He said RM50 million provided to address waste and solid waste trapped in rivers and RM40 million provided over a period of five years to strengthen environmental quality monitoring enforcement activities including the establishment of 30 monitoring stations nationwide.

“RM10 million provided to implement the Integrated Island Waste Management project around the islands in Johor and Terengganu to reduce the effects of coral reef destruction and marine life. This programme involves the collaboration between UNDP, state government and the private sector.

“Increase the allocation under the TAHAP to all state governments from RM350 million to RM400 million. Of this amount, a total of RM70 million is also allocated for the purpose of Ecological Fiscal Transfer activities as an additional incentive to the state government to ensure the sustainability of the country's biodiversity,” he said when tabling Budget 2021 in Parliament today.

Tengku Zafrul said the government would also implement mangrove tree planting programmes to preserve mangrove swamp areas and other tree species along the coast including Tanjung Piai, Johor and Kuala Sepetang, Perak.

Furthermore, he said the SAVE 2.0 programme would be introduced which is an e-Rebate of RM200 to households who buy any energy efficient locally manufactured air conditioner or refrigerator with a total of RM30 million allocation which is expected to benefit 140,000 households.

As part of the efforts to promote energy efficiency and environmentally friendly green technology, the government supports the initiative taken by the Sarawak government in using public buses that operate on hydrogen fuel cells.

“To control the biodiversity of forest areas and poaching, the government will strengthen the Biodiversity Protection and Patrol Programme by recruiting more than 500 former military and police personnel as well as Orang Asli for patrolling activities. For this purpose, a total of RM20 million is allocated,” he said.

-- BERNAMA