FOR YOU: Tong (right) presents a memento to Wong as Sim (third left), Ngieng (second right) and others look on.

SIBU : Development must go on but it should not be at the expense of destruction of the environment.

Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said to achieve this, there must be sustainable development.

“Sustainability in development is something we do for the benefit of our society and at the same time, we continue to leave benefits for our future generations.

“We do not develop the environment so there is nothing left for our children,” he said when closing the ‘Love Earth Day’ programme at Wisma Sanyan here yesterday.

The function was jointly organised by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and JCI Sibu.

Among those present were Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee, SMC deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng, JCI Sibu president Shirley Lei, organising chairman Patrick Tong and councillors So Teck Kee and Wong Hie Ping.

Wong, who is also Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said we must admit that there have been environmental damage and pollution not only in the jungle but also in urban areas.

“But you and I and each one of us must make sure we minimise all these in order to make this earth a better place to live in,” he said.

He added that we must continue to sustain our efforts to look after the environment.

“Therefore, it is important to make our children aware  of environmental protection and conservation.

“It is most important that we do our part on our own willingness and conscience and not because we are worried the law would be taken against us if we do not do it,” he said.

On a related matter, he commended the organiser for carrying out the programme to mark Love Earth Day to be celebrated worldwide today.