Environmentalist Anthony Tan said this way, forests would be better protected, and fish breeding areas and coral reefs preserved.

He said more Orang Asal people should be recruited to be rangers in national parks to bolster the protection of precious wildlife and forests.

Tan said a long-term investment is needed to tackle flash floods, which have become a common occurrence for far too long.

He said the government should target net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner through a national-level climate change agenda.

For Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia’s Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil, an environmental resource tax should be levied on all timber or products made out of it.

She said carbon taxes, along with incentives to push more to buy products made from sustainable sources, should be introduced.

“These will make a real difference to the larger portion of the rakyat who often disproportionately bear the burden of pollution.

“Climate change is both a threat and an opportunity to build a cleaner and healthier future.

“We will only succeed by working together,” she said.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s Meenakshi Raman said the national budget must incentivise state governments to protect their natural ecosystems.

She said a proposed environment trading scheme (ETS) should be seriously reconsidered, given the experience in other advanced economies.

“The nation does not have any experience in doing this, where much regulation, monitoring and oversight is needed to avert fraud, speculation and mismanagement in carbon trading.

“Even the European ETS has drawn criticism and scrutiny. Serious consultations and debates are needed before going ahead with this,” she said.

Meenakshi said the government should revamp laws concerning the forests and a public hearing held before reserves are degazetted.

She said the carbon tax being proposed ought to spare the poor and, at the same time, ensure the biggest polluters are made to pay.