MALAYSIA NEEDS CLIMATE CHANGE BILL TO ENSURE LEGAL CLARITY, ACCOUNTABILITY – LEE LAM THYE

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs a comprehensive Climate Change Bill to provide legal clarity, long-term direction and accountability in addressing the growing impacts of climate change, said Alliance For A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

He said climate change was no longer a future threat but a present reality affecting national stability, economic performance and social wellbeing, with floods, rising temperatures, landslides and disruptions to food supply becoming increasingly frequent.

Lee said that despite these developments, Malaysia continued to address climate change through fragmented policies and non-binding commitments, resulting in inconsistent climate action vulnerable to political cycles.

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“A Climate Change Bill is not about adding bureaucracy. It is about creating certainty. Businesses, investors, local authorities and communities need clear and predictable signals on where the country is heading.

“When climate goals are anchored in law, policies become more coherent, transitions more orderly and planning more credible,” he said in a statement today.

Lee said such certainty was crucial to attract quality investments in renewable energy, green technology, sustainable finance and climate-resilient infrastructure, which are essential for long-term economic resilience.

He said the proposed Bill must clearly define Malaysia’s national climate commitments, including mitigation and adaptation targets aligned with international obligations, supported by transparent reporting, regular reviews and enforceable mechanisms.

Lee said climate change had become a social justice issue, with vulnerable groups including low-income households, indigenous communities, small farmers and outdoor workers facing greater risks from extreme weather and rising temperatures.

He said the Bill must prioritise the protection of health, safety and livelihoods of vulnerable groups through equitable and people-centred adaptation measures.

Lee said clear coordination across federal, state and local levels was essential, as local authorities were often on the front lines of climate impacts but lacked consistent guidance and resources, while transparency and independent oversight were needed to strengthen public trust.

“A Climate Change Bill signals that Malaysia is preparing for the future rather than reacting to crises. Ultimately, such a Bill is a statement of responsibility. It affirms that protecting lives, livelihoods and future generations is a core duty of governance. Climate change is not a problem for tomorrow. It is here, and Parliament must act now,” he added.

-- BERNAMA