Extracted from Malaysiakini

ROS slammed for misplaced priorities

M Krishnamoorthy | Jan 2, 10 3:05pm

Environmental protection is the crying call for the whole world today and as such the Registrar of Societies (ROS) should not pick on Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) but instead try to resolve the leadership struggles in political parties.

The ROS should look at the leadership struggle in the MCA, IPF, Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party and the PPP to ascertain whether these parties are still legal organisations.

Newly appointed senator S Ramakrishnan said ROS Mohd Alias Kalil should be proud that there are groups in Malaysia such as SAM which go to go out their way to protect the environment against commercial logging, plantation development and the building of dams in the country.

"The SAM president has rightfully stated that issues related to the protection of the environment should not be considered anti-national. Instead, the laws must be amended to make such activities legal.

"These are great services to the nation and to regard them as anti-national reflects pure ignorance and misguided thinking. Malaysia and the whole world need more societies like SAM to protect the world from global warming and other disasters.

"Without such aggressive campaigns against powerful businessmen and government politicians how can Malaysia achieve the promise of prime minister at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen."

Going against PM's pledge

Mohd Alias had been quoted in Miri on Monday as saying that SAM could face deregistration if proof was found that it was engaging in activities threatening the nation's interests and that ROS was also monitoring NGOs, which were acting "extremely".

Ramakrishnan said that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had pledged that Malaysia would reduce carbon emission by up to 40 percent by 2020 compared to the 2005 level.

"Despite Najib's statement, it is quite surprising that senior officers like Mohd Alias could not see Malaysia's commitment to this goal."

On Thursday, Mohd Alias claimed that he did not single out SAM in his statement on the possible action against NGOs for going against national interests.

He said his statement should also not be taken as a "threat" aimed at stopping the environmental body from carrying out its work.

'Deplorable' comment criticised

According to Mohd Alias, he was merely responding to a general question from reporters on the steps that ROS could take on such a complaint, one of which could be the NGO's deregistration if the claims proved to be true.

SAM has been involved in activities against commercial logging, plantation development and the building of dams in the country.

In Penang, Thing Siew Shuen, special officer on environment to the chief minister, said the state government opposed any attempt to oppress and deregister the environment protection body.

He said SAM was working to protect human rights and preserve the natural heritage of the country through its campaigns.

"Mohd Alias should not urge SAM to be a more civil and friendly NGO towards logging companies, plantation companies and energy companies.

"It is deplorable that a senior officer can make such remarks and how can a civil servant provide quality service and decision-making for a better Malaysia. SAM's core activity is to lead campaigns against the destruction of forests and I call upon ROS to support their mission and vision."