63. For the interior, the Government will continue the Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Programme (BAKAS) for the purpose of not only ensuring potable water supply to the people but also aimed at conserving the environment through the provision of proper sanitation facilities.

Environment

64. The management of the environment has become increasingly challenging due to the rapid pace of development, involving the levelling of hills for buildings, logging and also the clearing of jungles for agriculture. The threat of water, air and land pollution must be controlled. More determined efforts need to be undertaken to ensure that our national reserves, including rivers, forests and air will be conserved in order to safeguard the health and quality of life of rakyat. Hence, apart from the importance of

education in environmental conservation, firm action needs to be taken against individuals or companies that ignore the conservation of the environment. In this regard, heavy penalties should be imposed under the relevant laws on property developers who fail to comply with environmental regulations, including blacklisting them. 

65. An allocation of 85 million ringgit is provided to the Department of Environment to continue its enforcement, controlling and monitoring efforts as well as the completion of the Environmental Skills and Training Institute. The Government has also awarded the contract for cleaning drains and rivers to the same company that is managing solid waste so as to prevent the occurrence of flash floods as there will be better coordination of such efforts.

66. Recycling industries should be promoted to reduce environmental pollution. In line with this, I propose that incentives in the form of Accelerated Capital Allowance be extended to companies that incur capital expenses on recycling activities. Import duties and sales tax exemptions on related machinery and

equipment would also be made available.

67. The Government is also promoting the development of a new source of energy, biomass, which is environment-friendly and renewable. To encourage energy-generating companies to utilise biomass, I propose that these companies be given income tax exemptions for five years or Investment Tax Allowance of 60 per cent. Import duties and sales tax exemptions on related machinery and equipment would be made available. 

Combating Social Ills 

68. In addition to the drug abuse problem that has yet to be overcome, a new problem, the use of estascy pills, has become widespread among our youth. The Government has allocated a sum of two million ringgit to carry out awareness programmes on the dangers of the estascy pill. Moral decadence among youth has to be curbed to uphold the dignity of our religion, race and eastern culture. The Government is also concerned about the involvement of some students in gangsterism, truancy, smoking, vandalism as

well as unhealthy activities in video arcades that could destroy their future. As a measure to address this problem, the Government has decided to close all video arcades, in addition to amending the Common Gaming Houses Act and the Electricity Supply Act. The Government appreciates the support of rakyat in this action.

69. In addition, the implementation of single session schools is aimed at curbing social ills among students. With this, not only will the quality of education improve, students will also be able to participate in additional co-curricular activities. In line with this, the Government’s decision to bring forward the announcement of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia results beginning year 2001 will reduce the waiting period for students, thereby enabling them to further their studies earlier at higher educational institutions. This will also prevent students from idling away their time and reduce the possibility of their being involved in undesirable activities.

70. To address the problem of social ills in society, the Government has allocated a sum of 94 million ringgit. The substantial allocation is to ensure that a segment of our society, in particular youth, does not continue to ruin their future, especially through drug abuse. The Government alone, however, cannot resolve social ills. As such, I urge all of you to strengthen family ties, enhance your spirituality and love for religion, uphold strong values and self-reliance while safeguarding your dignity and that of your family as these values will assist in combating social ills. Teachers also need to play a more effective role in counselling students. As such, let us work together to support and reinforce each other towards achieving these noble efforts.

71. Excessive smoking and consumption of liquor are serious concerns to the Government as they can lead to addiction, adversely affect health and create other social problems. Smoking can cause cancer while liquor addiction can ruin families. As a preventive measure, I propose that sales tax on liquor be increased from 15 to 20 per cent while that on cigarettes from 15 to 25 per cent.

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