Macaranga Wrap-Up: September 2023

The co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga, Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn, join us for a round-up of top environmental news from September 2023. This month, we look at big legal cases involving indigenous communities and their long-standing struggle for customary land rights in Malaysia, and how we expect to see even more legal suits concerning these issues playing out in the courtroom. Still on the topic of legal suits, we also discuss the implications of a recent Court of Appeal judgement in favour of a cement manufacturer carrying on quarrying in Perak's Gunung Kanthan, which would result in both the loss of biodiversity and a Buddhist monastery in the area. Finally we discuss what Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap might look like - how are we planning to phase out coal by 2045 and increase solar energy, and are we considering nuclear energy to help minimise our emissions?

Image Credit: 123RF/dimaberkut, nskyroman, smon