Melaka Steps Up Sustainable Development, Green Transformation Agendas - Arthur

MELAKA, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Melaka is moving rapidly ahead with its sustainable development and green transformation agendas, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, describing the progress as highly impressive.

He said under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, political commitment and the courage to drive change had translated sustainability into reality.

“The noble vision of positioning Melaka as a ‘Green Champion State’, firmly anchored in the core of the Melakaku Maju Jaya Strategic Plan 2035 (PSMJ 2035), is an achievement that should serve as a benchmark for the entire country.

“We have seen how Melaka has boldly steered investments based on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) standards. Melaka today is an architect of green economic innovation, pioneering the development of the Sustainable Biomass Hub, expanding the use of solar energy and transforming environmental governance through digitalisation technology via the Smart Melaka Blueprint,” he said.

Arthur said this when speaking at the 2026 National Environment Day (HASN) celebration opening ceremony here today, which was officiated by Ab Rauf.

Also present were Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh and Melaka State Secretary Datuk Salhah Salleh.

Arthur said environmental protection was not the sole responsibility of the ministry, but a collective responsibility shared by the government, local authorities (PBT), industries, communities and every individual.

“Amid the darkness as we face this climate crisis, we need beacons of example. This is where the organisation of the national-level HASN celebration plays a role as a platform for uniting our actions.

“Themed ‘Alam Sekitar, Tanggungjawab Bersama’ (Environment, Our Shared Responsibility), HASN serves as a mirror for us to reflect on what kind of Earth we want to leave for future generations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ab Rauf, in his speech, said Melaka had identified several main areas of focus to drive environmental sustainability in the state, as outlined under the PSMJ 2035.

He said the initiatives included preparing the greenhouse gas emissions inventory report and strengthening the renewable energy sector through the development of solar farms in Ayer Keroh, Rembia, Bemban and Masjid Tanah, which collectively have the capacity to generate about 102 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.

“Insya-Allah, by the end of 2027, Melaka will have its first hybrid solar farm, to be developed at Jus Dam, covering an area of about 122 hectares.

“This effort is also being expanded through the SolarMEL initiative by Perbadanan Teknologi Hijau Melaka (PTHM) to encourage the use of solar energy, from small-scale applications to large-scale projects, including residential rooftop solar,” he said.

He said other areas of focus included developing the Sungai Udang Waste-to-Energy project, expanding electric vehicle charging station infrastructure, enhancing green spaces such as Taman Seribu Bunga, SDG Park @ Sungai Melaka, Taman Rekreasi Kampung Felda Air Kangkung and Taman Kejiranan Pulai Indah, and preserving natural heritage through the Melaka Geopark Aspirations.

-- BERNAMA