About 38 per cent of the respondents shared that they do not trust the labelling and 31 per cent mentioned that eco-friendly products are difficult to find and another 31 per cent mentioned that they are normally more expensive than the non eco-friendly counterpart. This is just of eco-labels.

One of the eco-labels to promote sustainable energy consumption is the energy rating scheme promoted by the Energy Commission. The same survey revealed that only 5.7 per cent of the respondents have seen or know what it is. The ministry of Green Technology, is tasked with the promotion of green technology especially in energy production and the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment manages natural resource, environmental conservation and land use survey and mapping.

So which government agency promotes or is able to develop policies for sustainable consumption and production. SCP or sustainable consumption and production are said to be two sides of a coin. They are both crucial to sustainable development and key to control emissions. It seems there is a gaping hole in the sustainable development agenda as far as sustainable consumption is concerned.

Sustainable production to a certain extent needs technology, particularly green technology to assist in addressing environmental aspect and impact of production. Green Technology seems to be the realm of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water. Consumption on the other hand is an issue of the masses, the consumers. Typically the agency to be tasked with the responsibility to promote sustainable consumption is the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism or KPDNKK.

Till to date there has not been policies on sustainable consumption. Without policies regulations to promote sustainable consumption practices such as those governing eco-labels and claims are unduly delayed. The one day in a week "No Plastic Day" albeit a start need to be a Malaysian culture and thus practiced 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Some of the hypermarkets are already carrying imported products namely from Japan and Korea which carry carbon footprint labelling.

The Department of Standards Malaysia has developed various eco-labelling standards, guidance and requirements but laments the lack of laboratories and perhaps even technical capacities to test and verify or endorse eco-labelling much less if there is no demand for eco-friendly products. Thus, we come back to the role of KPDNKK - What is the strategy of this Ministry to promote sustainable consumption and address concerns with misleading claims on alleged eco-friendly products? How much has been done to promote sustainable consumption (SC)?  What is the Ministry's plan under 10th Malaysia Plan and its long term plan? What is the Ministry's strategy for SC for the upcoming budget planning?

We need to remind here that among the eight universal consumer rights are the right to healthy and safe environment and the right to information. To promote SC, consumers need to be assured that environmental labelling are trustworthy and will assist them in making sustainable lifestyle choices that will support two of the pillars of a high income nation, i.e sustainability and inclusivity.

Ratna Devi Nadarajan, Chief Executive Officer Malaysian Association of Standards Users

CLIMATE CHANGE AND MALAYSIA'S FOOD AND RICE SECURITY:  Recently, about 1000 farmers in Kelantan gathered at Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) office to protest against the high charges it imposed to process their paddy. The farmers claimed that BERNAS has deducted more than 30 per cent of the price of every metric tonne of paddy they sold to the company since early this year. Malaysia's food security has traditionally focused on rice - similar to Asia.

Total size of rice demand remains important, because rice remains the largest single source of calories for a significant majority of consumers who live in sub-urban, rural and the poorer communities - and provides more or less one-third of daily calorie intake on average.

In 2007-2008, there was a spike in food prices and food prices are expected to rise further due to recent havoc in weather or erratic weather patterns in Asia causing massive floods or drought. The United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization's (FAO) global Food Price Index surged in August 2010 to the highest level since September 2008 as wheat and rice prices advanced after Russia, the world's third-largest wheat grower last year, banned exports and flooding in Pakistan damaged rice crops, curbing supplies of Asia's two main staple grains. Lower water levels in the Mekong River curbed yields in Thailand and Vietnam, the world's two biggest exporters, and flooding slashed the harvest in Pakistan, the third-largest shipper. India restricted exports of onion and farmers in China suffered huge losses of their garlic due to flood.

The price of garlic and Indian red onions doubled late last year. So, when global rice production and prices are both volatile, how can we depend on imported rice which accounts for 30 per cent of our rice supply? Are our rice farmers able to sustain their activities through better prices for their commodity as cost production inputs also continue to rise?

How will BERNAS help farmers adapt to impacts of a changing climate since it is also tasked to safeguard interest of farmers and consumers? Is the government through BERNAS able to sustain the production input subsidies when global prices of these inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and their raw materials continue to rise?

In May of 2008 the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry mentioned that effectiveness of BERNAS as the sole importer and distributor of rice in the country is being studied. We are very interested in the findings of this study. The rice supply chain and its supply is a matter of national security. Entrusting this to one agency needs to be reviewed. Stockpiling alone is not a long term solution to ensure that our rice and food security is not affected by impacts of climate change.

BERNAS social obligations go far beyond stockpiling and subsidizing. It has to ensure that more lands are gazetted for rice cultivation. Rice varieties are able to withstand adverse weather conditions if needed and farmers' welfare are safeguarded. Consumers should be educated on sustainable consumption of this commodity and understand that sufficient rice supply is an important element of national security.

Consumers must be educated to value farmers' contribution and the efforts taken to bring this valuable staple from farm to table and safe for consumption. Consumers must also be educated on why it is important to be self sufficient in terms of rice production. Some reports have shown that we need to reach 100 per cent self sufficiency for rice by 2015 and at the current rate we may never achieve this unless we import and increase the stockpile.

Already Malaysia's 2008 food import bill was at RM 27billion, mainly due to increase in global food prices. In 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry expected to have a 10 to 20 per cent reduction of the import bill - perhaps unattainable goal due to continued increase of global food prices.

 FLOOD MITIGATION:  In late 2006, Typhoon Utor caused massive floods in Malaysia and also hit the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia. Singapore with one of the best flood mitigation infrastructures and systems experienced average rainfall the third highest recorded in 75 years.

Bernama reported that between 60,000 and 70,000 was evacuated in Johor itself with food shortages reported in some centres. Johor's farmers estimated losses of crops, fertilizer and machinery worth millions of ringgit, which caused the spike in vegetable prices, according to the Malaysian Vegetable Farmers Association. The local farms supply Johor's markets and export to neighbouring Singapore.

In late 2010 and early 2011, Malaysia revisits the tragedy of 2006 where several state in Malaysia like Sabah, Johore, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang, were flooded after continuous rain said to be brought by the northeast monsoon winds. Electricity supply was disconnected in some districts in Johore, while some shelters were reported to have experienced food and water shortages. 

The media reported that ministers and government agencies are calling for better early warning systems. Have we been ignorant the whole time that severe weather are part of climate change and after the 2006/2007 flooding that we do indeed need early warning systems? What about flood mitigation projects? How much have we allocated to mitigate flood especially in states like Johore.

Haven’t we see the need for ‘early warning system’ despite Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu experiencing annual flooding for many years, already? The STERN review notes that a 2-3 degree Celsius rise would lead to “many severe impacts, often mediated by water, including more frequent droughts and floods.”

In 2009, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) published The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review which urges Southeast Asian to take timely action to adapt to climate change, build resilience, and minimize the costs caused by the impact driven by GHG emissions.

At a Forum on Cities and Climate Change : Adaptation and Planning Responses in 2007 in Putrajaya, Dr. Salmah of NAHRIM outlined the current water scenario in Malaysia, highlighting the high expenditure on flood damage, RM 100 million/yr in 1982 has risen up to RM 3 billion/yr in 2003. The 2006 damage was in the region of RM 1.5 billion not including personal and commercial loss – only cost incurred on the government account. There are few reports on the cost of damage caused by flooding in Malaysia - readily available.

With so much happening, why can’t policy makers draft clear and specific plans and mechanisms for mitigation and adaptation efforts in response to changing climate and implement them diligently, review and improve them on a timely manner? We continue to condone unsustainable land use and development. What is sad is that these unsustainable and inconsiderate land development compromises the sanctity of our water resources and water catchment areas.

We hope the National Communication 2 to the United Nations by Malaysia related to climate change (after the first one in 2000), major policy development agencies in Malaysia such as the Economic Planning Unit, the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation respect the findings and provide adequate resources both human and finances to develop and implement specific plans on mitigation and adaptation measures.

Since intense rain and prolonged droughts are predicted and has already been experienced in some of states in Malaysia – Sabah, Johor and Malacca, broader elements of flood mitigation should include turning or converting available space to water catchment areas, through better and effective storm water management, rain water harvesting (ponds, under-ground systems or buildings), reservoirs and permanent water catchment areas – mimicking the service provided by forests.

 All exposed ground surfaces such as roads, golf turfs, parks can be designed to ‘absorb’ and regulate storm water and be stored for future treatment and supply; integrating reservoirs, ponds and water ways as part of urban landscapes; promote more natural flood mitigation or management through natural vegetation; and cultivating respect for environmental sustainability and value of water resources among urban dwellers We should be able to manage state level flood mitigation programs like Singapore. The Public Utilities Board managed to reduce flood prone area of a relatively flat landscape from 3,200 ha in the 1970s to 130 ha or less today.

More projects are underway in light of new technology and threats from erratic weather patterns. Other good examples and best practices are many in Australia and Hong Kong. The effective management of urban storm water provides us valuable access to raw water sources especially during prolonged droughts besides reducing flood prone areas and damages caused by severe flooding. It is expected that more than 70 per cent of the world population will live in cities by the year 2025.

Besides problems with managing waste and access to energy, clean and safe water are primary survival concerns for future urban dwellers. According to the United Nations, floods cause half of disasters worldwide and 84 per cent of all disaster deaths. Floods in dense, poorly serviced settlements can lead to diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, scabies, cholera and malaria. Furthermore, floods can cause contamination of water supplies, as pipes in slum areas are often damaged or leak.

According to UN reports droughts are the world’s second most geographically extensive hazard – after flood. The impacts from droughts on the physical landscape may not be immediate as with flood, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and forest fires. But have a longer-lasting impact, affecting food and water security for longer period. One of the predictions by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is that droughts may become more frequent or more intense.

The above are reasons why we need to aggressively plan and implement flood mitigation and management in a way that it will enhance water security and safety for Malaysians.

Ratna Devi Nadarajan

Secretary General FORUM Air Malaysia

 Motorcyclists are very vulnerable road users. Helmets alone do not protect them. Road conditions and security of these roads play a very important role. When we used the motorcycle lanes and interviewed a few who use the Federal Highway frequently and daily, we found out that during rainy season many sections of the lane is constantly flooded. There are no ample "early warning" for users and only to be caught by surprise when they arrive at the sections of the lane which is totally inaccessible.

 There are sections of the Federal Highway and the NKVE where petrol kiosks are built. We noticed at least two petrol kiosks are accessible by motorists by crossing the motorcycle lane. Although speed breakers are installed at the junction of the main road and the motorcycle lane it is still far too dangerous to motorcyclists.
If they are very vulnerable why are the road design and infrastructure inadequate to provide the necessary safety protection for motorcyclists?

We also noticed that there are sections of the motorcycle lane which are very dark and do not have street lights. Nowadays many of the motorcyclists are women. We believe a well lit road or lane enhances safety conditions for users. A few years back there was a program aired on television news on a syndicate which deliberately puncture motorcycle tyres by laying sharp objects on the road of the motorcycle lanes.

In addition to that they also vandalise air pumps at the petrol kiosks along the motorcycle lanes, render the pumps useless to motorcyclists. At certain intervals of the motorcycle lane along the federal highway and at the pump stations located along the lanes we notice mobile phone numbers and offers to repair punctured tyres which are spray painted onto culverts, trees and walls.

These people charge a premium. For example to change the tyre tube, at a workshop generally costs not more than RM 15.00 but these people charge anything in the region of RM 40 and more during odd hours such as midnight or wee hours of the morning. When the motorcyclists began to use the main road of the federal highway they mostly ride on the emergency lane.

Nowadays we see many weaving through traffic at high speed. On the highway during peak traffic, drivers tend to change lanes abruptly and many cars are scratched or have minor dents due to this abrupt changing of lanes and many also suffer more serious accidents. But motorcyclists are vulnerable and even a small bump could send them "flying" and experience serious injuries.

We are also not convinced that helmets really protect motorcyclists since the Road Transport Act does not allow the regulators and authorities like the Road Transport Department (RTD) to carry out inspection on shops selling these personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure that they sell genuinely certified products (for helmets it is the Malaysian Standard MS 6.1 (renumbered MS 1): Specifications for protective helmets for vehicle users). Many of these helmets carry the MS mark but we are not able to verify if they are genuine.

We hope that highway concessionaires and public works department (JKR) improve safety and security condition of motorcycle lanes. The safety of the motorcycle lanes is priority as well, considering their vulnerability to severe injuries. The risks in suing the main road is increased due to presence of heavy vehicles and busses where sometimes the drivers "bully" smaller vehicle users on the road.

We should facilitate safe environment to road users who are relatively more sustainable in their lifestyle than those who drive to their destination. This is because motorcycle release less GHG and use lesser fuel than cars but still gets you to the destination if you are single driver and if it does not rain.

Ratna Devi Nadarajan, Malaysian Association of Standards Users

Available at 5kg packing size and was limited to 2 bottles per family. Almost all the content of this brand faced serious separation problems – clear oil above and murky sediments below. I immediately checked with colleagues if they faced the same problems in hypermarkets elsewhere in the state and other states.

The hypermarket in Kelana Jaya did not have any palm and blended cooking oil at all. This hypermarket did not have any of the local cooking oil and even the controlled 1kg packet. All they had were soy oil, corn oil, sunflower oil etc. Friends who went to another hypermarket in Shah Alam had similar problems as those who went to the one in Kelana Jaya.

A few weeks prior to that the local media reported possible shortage of cooking oil in the market to which the Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism guaranteed that cooking oil supply is adequate for the festive season etc.

Then, came the unrelenting rain and flood in states which are major palm oil producers in the Peninsular Malaysia. Reuters reported the following: Palm oil was last traded at RM3,895 a tonne or US$1,279 in the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives (BMD), according to palmoil.com.

Prices have trended up as unrelenting rain has affected main oil palm-growing areas in Malaysia and Indonesia. Reuters has reported the that refiners eye Indonesian palm as Malaysia floods stir food fears and that Thailand to import another 120,000 tonnes palm oil. It also mentioned that Malaysian crude palm oil futures may hit RM3,300 per tonne in the next few weeks as weather concerns plague global oilseed output, a top analyst said.

The estimate by Godrej International’s Dorab Mistry assumes a 3.4 per cent rise from current prices at a time of rising economic growth in top buyers China and India. The weaker US dollar has also triggered an inflow of funds into commodities as an inflation hedge and makes palm oil priced in the greenback much cheaper for overseas buyers.

This leads to my questions: Are our supplies going overseas since they fetch better price than supplying it locally? Are we sacrificing our access to feed the voracious appetite of China and India? Or have we simply become part of the statistics facing food material shortage and high food prices (garlic, milk, onions, peppers, wheat, bread and next maybe rice)? Is this the aspirations of a high income nation?

I am keen to know the definition of high income nation and hope it doesn’t just state an average per capita income of USD 15,000 to USD 20,000. But what does this mean to us if we cannot have access to food and in light of recent extreme weather patterns face one of the highest increases in food prices ever to happen?

I sincerely hope that we do not chase an elusive statistic, to look good in paper but at social and environmental cost of making ends meet even with per capita income of USD 15,000 - USD 20,000.

A study using satellite imagery commissioned by Wetlands International also showed that the rate of deforestation was increasing each year and just under two-thirds of the 353,000 hectares of peat swamp that was opened up was converted into oil palm plantations. There are many efforts to address sustainability issues with palm oil industry. But they remain much to yearn for.

I sincerely hope that all of us most importantly government agencies looking for investments to achieve a high income nation status does not flaunt crucial monies pumping into high impact projects such as nuclear energy facilities and skyscrapers when food security and safety descends to a third world country status. We need these investments to high impact flood mitigation efforts in the state of Johor and many low lying high density population areas all over Malaysia.

We need investments to overcome shortage of clean and safe water supply during prolonged droughts both of which we have come to know and experience all too well.

Financial incentives alone have not been sufficient to ensure this. More generous benefits, such as health insurance, vacation time, employment opportunities for doctors' spouses, and improvements in educational institutions for their children, should also be used as incentives.

Strategies through educational reforms could include a review of the curriculum with a view to producing graduates who are willing to work in underserved areas. Also, a more conducive working environment should be provided by upgrading the facilities in the hospitals and clinics in rural and remote areas.

The 1Malaysia mobile clinics that have recently been introduced is one way to ensure that people living in rural areas in the country can gain access to health services nearer to their homes. However, a well-balanced distribution of infrastructures needs to go hand-in-hand with a well-balanced distribution of health personnel to be worth the investment, let alone to have an impact on the health of the population.

KISHORE A/L MANOGALAN

4th year medical student, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

It looks like many Malaysians are very much obsessed with racial prejudice since before Merdeka. (The only difference is that today, it is very obvious, extensively discussed and intense). Who is the perpetrator and who is the victim? Though, it sounds like a million dollar question but those who have studied Malaysian history could easily conclude that each and EVERY major races are the perpetrators and also are the victims themselves. This might sound strange but that is the reality in Malaysia.

Each and every community has valid reasons to accuse the other of not being fair to them. The predominant community has every right to accuse the other communities of not being Malaysians at heart but only by "lip service" they say they are. The leader of the ruling government came up with a slogan called "1Malaysia" which is said to give prominence and care to certain human virtues irrespective of race and creed. It sounds good but a significant number of grassroots of his own party are not accepting it.

In my opinion, I too would say please make some changes to the new aspiration so that the predominant community reach the target set for them, by the government, is attained. However, the target, its current achievement and the new deadline should be firmly, truthfully and sincerely announced to all Malaysians. Strictly, there should not be any "unwritten rules and regulation" applied openly by certain high ranking government officials with regards to their respective departments implementing and enforcement functions. The rules and regulations of the government to improve the social status of the predominant community should be accepted and welcomed by all the other communities.

I would like to stress here that the predominant community also includes that of Sabah and Sarawak. It is my opinion that they have been partially sidelined by those in the Peninsular Malaysia on certain economic and social issues. The business community (mainly made up of a particular community) should be thankful that Malaysia, till today, was their easy "cash cow". However, no one can deny that it was this community that was the back bone for Malaysia's development and economy. This community is believed to be very united as compared to others.

However, it could also be put in a "negative" perspective that "This community selfishly and jealously protected their domination in the economy and in the business opportunities".

I would be happy if they follow "live and let live" attitude. This would help Malaysia to prosper faster. The 3rd largest community is virtually dependent on both the other communities for its survival. Its political leaders too do not seem sincere in their welfare though they have more political parties for themselves than really needed.

This community should learn to follow rules and regulation pertaining to building of places of worship, schools, shelter etc. I have noticed many of them making noise or have public rallies though in most cases it was clear that they either have breached the rules and regulations or did not follow the proper protocol to get their demands fulfilled. They need to set their priorities right and work for it with the co-operation of others. One should not deny or challenge the birth right of another Malaysian no matter what is his race.

I like many others believe that the land of birth is an act of GOD. Asking another Malaysian to leave Malaysia, just because he is in disagreement on certain issues, is unjust. I remember, long ago, a Swedish child was born in airplane bound to Australia. When the child was born the plane was flying over Thailand. Duty bound governments of all the 3 countries gave the parents to choose the nationality they want the child to have.
Why Thailand offered citizenship to the child is because that country was considered the country of birth of the child. My conclusion is that, there are very few "True Malaysian" in Malaysia today. Apart from some true Malaysian Leaders (Political or Social) and an insignificant number of the rakyat, only the children of mixed marriages and those children who do not know their roots are true Malaysians.

This is really a bad and sad state for a country which has very good potential and adequate variety of resources. My humble request is the quote "Sink or Swim together" is no more relevant. Now it should be changed to "Mutual trust, care, help and respect for the ultimate 1Malaysia".