press release
STOP THE HARASSMENT AND LEGAL INTIMIDATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS!
21 March 2022
In light of the multiple recent harassment and legal intimidation of environmental defenders who spoke against the exploitation of natural resources as well as the poor response of the recent flood event in Pahang, Gabungan Darurat Iklim Malaysia (GDIMY) demands that governments of all levels and authorities to immediately stop the intimidation of environmental defenders and and journalists. These include YBhg PPj (PA) Puan Sri To’ Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina Binti Syed Akil (President of PEKA Malaysia), Mr. Peter Kallang of Save Rivers, Sean Augustin (FMT) AND Madam Pua Lay Peng (Persatuan Tindakan Alam Sekitar Kuala Langat), YB Wong Tack (MP for Bentong), Mr. Shaq Koyok and indigenous communities defending their traditional and legal rights.
The statement below was made by our Malaysian Foreign Minister, Yg Berhormat Dato’ Sri Saiffudin Abdullah on October 12 2021 in conjunction with Malaysia’s success in securing a seat at the the United Nations Human Rights Council:
"Malaysia welcomes the HRC Resolution that highlights the human rights implications of environmental damage and climate change faced by individuals and communities around the world, especially vulnerable groups, including the indigenous peoples, older persons, persons with disabilities, and women,...”
We maintain that by supporting the Resolution, Malaysia acknowledges that environmental degradation, climate change and unsustainable development constitute some of the most pressing and serious threats to the ability of present and future generations to enjoy gender equity and human rights, including the right to life, mental wellbeing and physical health, development, housing, water and food.
Extreme weather, deforestation and pollution are threatening Malaysia due to the impacts of human activity. Environmental defenders are the crucial voices that call out all the injustices that happen on the ground. We are concerned that Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and other forms of prosecution and persecution will become a pattern to protect profit by the few while leaving the masses to continue suffering.
These types of intimidation should not be ignored, especially against environmental defenders. They should be immediately investigated by all regulatory bodies.
Therefore we demand that:
These legal notices are immediately retracted.
Environmental rights of Malaysians to clean air, water, and the preservation and access to natural environment are upheld.
Freedom to demand accountability of the government and/or corporations is guaranteed and protected for members of the public, especially environmental defenders.
kenyataan media
HENTIKAN GANGGUAN DAN UGUTAN UNDANG-UNDANG TERHADAP PEMBELA ALAM SEKITAR!
23 Mac 2022
Memandangkan pelbagai gangguan baru-baru ini dan ugutan undang-undang ke atas pembela alam sekitar yang menentang eksploitasi sumber asli serta tindak balas yang lemah terhadap kejadian banjir di Pahang baru-baru ini, Gabungan Darurat Iklim Malaysia (GDIMY) menuntut kerajaan dari semua peringkat dan pihak berkuasa untuk segera menghentikan ugutan terhadap pembela alam sekitar dan dan wartawan. Ini termasuklah YBhg PPj (PA) Puan Sri To' Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina Binti Syed Akil (Presiden PEKA Malaysia), En Peter Kallang dari Save Rivers, Sean Augustin (FMT), Puan Pua Lay Peng (Persatuan Tindakan Alam Sekitar Kuala Langat ), YB Wong Tack (Ahli Parlimen Bentong), Encik Shaq Koyok dan masyarakat orang asli mempertahankan hak tradisi dan undang-undang mereka.
Kenyataan di bawah telah dibuat oleh Menteri Luar Malaysia kita, Yg Berhormat Dato' Sri Saiffudin Abdullah pada 12 Oktober 2021 sempena kejayaan Malaysia memperoleh kerusi di Majlis Hak Asasi Manusia Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu:
"Malaysia mengalu-alukan Resolusi HRC yang menonjolkan implikasi hak asasi manusia terhadap kerosakan alam sekitar dan perubahan iklim yang dihadapi oleh individu dan masyarakat di seluruh dunia, terutamanya kumpulan yang terdedah, termasuk orang asli, orang tua, orang kurang upaya, dan wanita,..."
Kami mengekalkan bahawa dengan menyokong Resolusi, Malaysia mengakui bahawa kemerosotan alam sekitar, perubahan iklim dan pembangunan tidak mampan merupakan beberapa ancaman yang paling mendesak dan serius terhadap keupayaan generasi sekarang dan akan datang untuk menikmati kesaksamaan jantina dan hak asasi manusia, termasuk hak untuk hidup, kesejahteraan mental dan kesihatan fizikal, pembangunan, perumahan, air dan makanan.
Cuaca ekstrem, penebangan hutan dan pencemaran mengancam Malaysia akibat kesan daripada aktiviti manusia. Pembela alam sekitar adalah suara penting yang menyeru kepada semua ketidakadilan yang berlaku di lapangan. Kami bimbang Tindakan Undang-undang Strategik Terhadap Penyertaan Awam (SLAPPs) dan lain-lain bentuk pendakwaan dan penganiayaan akan menjadi corak untuk melindungi keuntungan yang segelintir sambil membiarkan orang ramai terus menderita.
Jenis ugutan ini tidak boleh diabaikan, terutamanya terhadap pembela alam sekitar. Mereka harus segera disiasat oleh semua badan regulatori.
Oleh itu kami menuntut supaya:
Notis undang-undang ini ditarik balik serta-merta.
Hak alam sekitar rakyat Malaysia untuk udara dan air yang bersih, dan pemeliharaan serta akses kepada alam sekitar semula jadi dipertahankan.
Kebebasan untuk menuntut akauntabiliti kerajaan dan/atau perbadanan dijamin dan dilindungi untuk orang awam, terutamanya pembela alam sekitar.
Endorsement Sokongan
Update 29 March 2022
Organisation/Organisasi
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Alliance of River Three (ART!)
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Persatuan Kesedaran dan Keadilan Iklim Malaysia (Klima Action Malaysia - KAMY)
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Greenpeace Malaysia
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Five Arts Centre
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Malaysian Progressives in Australia
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Parti Sosialis Malaysia/Pemuda Sosialis
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Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia (GRASS)
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Rimba Disclosure Project
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Kolektif Iklim
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Pertubuhan Solidariti Hijau Kuantan
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Pertubuhan Solidaritas
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North South Initiative
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Cerah
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Treat Every Environment Special Sdn Bhd
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Jaringan Ekologi Dan Iklim (JEDI)
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)
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Justice for Sisters
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Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA)
Individual/Individu
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Kennedy Michael
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Sharifah Sofia Hussein
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Selvan Segaran
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Isaac Lim
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Tan Sze Won
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Muhammad Ariff Mohamad Nizam
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Maniesegaran Sagadevan
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Alice Tan
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Loh Chee Wey
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Valarmathy Vaiyavari
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NurFitri Amir Muhammad
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Anwar Fazal
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Thilaga sulathireh
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Dr Ann Lee
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Chan Hooi Yen
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Nicole Fong
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Chong War Koh
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Shaq Koyok