RM10mil matching grant for Heart of Borneo
Published on: Sunday, October 13, 2019
By: Bernama
Kuala Lumpur: THE Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s initiatives to address transboundary haze and pollution issues were revealed through a RM30 million allocation to the Department of Environment and the Chemistry Department to resolve the issue.Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in presenting the 2020 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat said the allocation was aimed at increasing the capability and capacity of both agencies.
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To mitigate the occurrence of flash floods, Lim said the government would allocate RM443.9 million for the Flood Mitigation Plan and RM150 million to maintain the management of the existing flood retention ponds.
“In addition, to help farmers affected by natural disasters, the government will set up a RM100 million Disaster Assistance Fund to provide loans at a four percent interest rate,” Lim said.
The government was also committed to preserving the natural forest and biodiversity by allocating RM48 million for the purpose.
“A sum of RM10 million will be allocated to the private sector as a matching grant. These efforts include supporting the initiative of the Central Forest Spine and the Heart of Borneo in addition to rehabilitate degenerated forest areas,” he said.
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The government, according to Lim, supports all efforts to protect endangered animals including the Malayan tigers and orangutans by providing RM15 million to the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT), the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
He said there were fewer than 200 Malayan tigers and 11,000 orangutans left in the wild. For the same purpose, Lim said a sum of RM20 million was allocated to recruit forest rangers from retired soldiers and the local Orang Asli community who know their land best to protect the flora and fauna.
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