Lab Test TTS2233;

FLOODS: RISING ABOVE JUST MANAGING as to how we judge our success as a nation
and people. In our pursuit of growth and
Six years ago, in January 2015, I wrote about
development (be it infrastructure, jobs,
the unprecedented floods that happened in
wealth etc.), which in turn are meant to
Kelantan. Then working with the Ministry of
contribute to better quality of life for us
Education, we took part in relief efforts at
humans on planet Earth, how often do we
various affected schools being carried out by
spare a thought towards our non-human
teachers, university lecturers, and students
creatures (including the environment)?
from schools, polytechnics, community
colleges and universities. The floods, already
caused by heavier than usual monsoon
Over the Christmas weekend, my wife and I
rainfall, were reported to have worsened by
went to Taman Sri Muda to volunteer with
unhindered logging in the state in recent
SPCA Selangor. One volunteer group
years.
(consisting of vets and university students)
focused on providing medical support while
another took pictures of rescued cats and
Revisiting the column, these weary words by a
dogs to upload to social media with the aim of
former colleague from Pasir Mas, Kelantan,
reuniting them with their owners. A colleague
caught my eye: “...but we always manage”.
of mine is still hoping to find her cat – I pray
Fast forward to 2021. It’s a repeat.
she does. The rest of us volunteers were
Unexpected floods have hit the nation.
allocated streets to cover in different parts of
Selangor recorded 25 fatalities, mostly from
the neighbourhood - to either feed
Taman Sri Muda where seven had tragically
abandoned cats and dogs or to supply flood-
drowned in their single-storey homes. In
affected owners with food for their pets.
Pahang, there were 19 victims and in
Kelantan, three.

We came across a few injured dogs and

scared kittens. The team covering the nearby
BEING KIND TO THE NON-HUMANS
apartments said that they couldn’t get to the
starving animals within the upper floor units

“The greatness of a nation and its moral as evacuated owners had had to leave their

progress can be judged by the way in which pets behind. We fervently hope the owners

its animals are treated”. Often attributed to have returned.

Mahatma Gandhi (although some suggest it

wasn’t him), the quote is a point of reflection

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Lab Test TTS2233;

GOING BEYOND MANAGING suggested that things are too slow,

uncoordinated, and in some
instances, too late. Beyond that, the

A
authorities must harness the power of
the rakyat.
3. Third, let us also not forget to reflect
upon ourselves. The rise of the
floodwaters is also due to our rivers
crisis situation where
being inundated with garbage and
lives are lost can never be a cause for
waste from residential homes. We
celebration, no matter the triumphant
have seen videos of cars stopping on
moments. What can be avoided does not
bridges and rubbish bags flung out of
need managing. What cannot be avoided,
it and into the rivers below. So let us
must be well-managed. Even in
not just point fingers at the
unprecedented situations due to natural
authorities, when we too play a role
disasters, the recovery process should not
in keeping our environment clean.
take as long as we are currently witnessing.

Educating our children, neighbours and

Looking ahead, there are three things that
need to happen: communities is key. In the future, we must go
beyond “managing the situation”. I know we
can, as long as we put our hearts and minds,
1. Firstly, at the highest level of
as well as policies and resources towards it. I
development and growth planning,
hope there won’t be the need to write
greater attention is needed when
another similar piece in 2027. May we have a
evaluating environmental impact. The
blessed new year 2022 where more is done in
current floods are not just due to
truly walking the talk.
heavy rain. Fundamentally, it relates
to attitudes towards climate change,
prioritising development over
conservation.
2. Second, if a tragedy does happen,
coordination and response is vital.
Many good men and women of the
civil service are contributing.
However, recent events have

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Lab Test TTS2233;

PLEDGE TO TAKE CARE OF THE

ENVIRONMENT

I do take care of the environment around

me and to put every effort to make the
planet earth a better and greener place to
live in by

protecting the nature and natural resources

around.

not only save trees but also plant more

saplings of trees

not litter and will managing my domestic

solid waste

promise to conserve water and protect

water reservoirs
“Pledge to take care of the environment”

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