Hi Everybody,
As the year draws to a close it comes to one's mind to make some sort of New Year resolution. I have resolved to strive harder to make 1998 a more eventful and exciting year for Perak MNS members and nature lovers in general. To achieve this, the committee need the cooperation of all members to contribute in whatever form they can – time, leadership, knowledge and cooperative participation in the branch's activities. We need you to voice out your opinions to help improve the society and contribute towards halting the relentless onslaught on Mother Nature.
Yes, enough is enough. We learn too late that we cannot go against the forces of Nature. When disturbed beyond its limits Nature can unleash its devastating fury through floods, diseases, famine or suffocating haze. Over the years big business has reaped a high toll on our natural heritage. Large tracts of virgin jungle have been cleared to support the noveau rich's indulgence in golf and other pastimes or to carry out economic activities. It yielded huge profits for the few but robbed nature lovers and environmentalists of their simple pleasures in enjoying the clear skies, seas and rivers or in walking through the serene natural forests to look at plants, insects, birds and wild animals. Cavers have lost the opportunity to explore some limestone hills and caves which have been blasted or earmarked for quarrying. The influx of two million legal and illegal immigrants further add to social problems and the opening of more forests to support this "unnatural" population growth without scant consideration for its consequences.
Fortunately the present financial crisis in the country has put a temporary stop to such myopic plans to further exploit our natural resources and destroy our rich natural heritage. It is indeed a blessing in disguise as we realize that we have been extravagant in our spending and ambitious in our plans. Just as we question the need to buy designer label clothes and expensive automobiles we should ask if the proposed highland road linking the three highland resorts serve any useful purpose that the existing highways and trunk roads with minimal spending cannot. Other projects should be evaluated likewise as our country is not large enough to afford massive and excessive exploitation which has caused irreparable damage to our natural heritage. I hope the authorities would pause and take a second look at their plans and allow NGOs like us to input our views constructively so that we can use our scarce resources efficiently for a balanced growth . But the public in general are also to be blamed for the poor state of our natural heritage. Few cooperate with authorities to reduce pollution and environmental destruction.
I hope MNS members would also resolve to do their part in helping Mother Nature. It should begin by educating the public (and MNS members) on Nature appreciation by inculcating a love for nature. We have to educate them on the need for nature conservation and preservation for future generations how we can live in harmony with nature and benefit from it by setting a good example. We have to recruit more members to make our society strong. I take this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Yoon Lai Wan for presenting a gift to her father Mr. Yoon Weng Sum in the form of an MNS membership. Others should take a cue from her to recruit more members.
The economy may slow down but we should accelerate our efforts to help Mother Nature. I wish all Chinese members Kong Xi Fa Cai and all our Muslim members Selamat Hari Raya Puasa. May 1998 bring us to greater heights.. See you all on Fellowship - Kongsi Raya Night.
Cheaw Hon Ming
1 January 1998