KUCHING (Jan 20): Sarawak’s drive toward sustainable transport and climate action took centre stage today when a delegation of international student volunteers paid a courtesy visit to State Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.
The six-member team from Save the Earth From A to Z (ASEZ), a South Korea-founded volunteer organisation, met Lee at his office in the Masja Complex, Petra Jaya. The delegation was led by ASEZ East Malaysia president Steven Kwon. Lee praised ASEZ’s youth-led environmental initiatives, including its flagship campaign, Zero Plastic 2040, which aims to eliminate plastic pollution worldwide by 2040.
Founded in South Korea, ASEZ brings together student volunteers from 175 countries, focusing on environmental protection, climate action, community service, and disaster relief. Lee stressed that climate change is a global challenge that transcends national boundaries and requires collective action from all communities, regardless of nationality. He also took the opportunity to outline Sarawak’s ongoing contributions to climate change mitigation, particularly through the development of low-carbon and sustainable public transportation systems. He shared details of the state’s ongoing low-carbon transport initiatives, such as the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) featuring hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) and the deployment of 56 hydrogen-powered feeder buses in its first phase. These projects aim to reduce carbon emissions while promoting cleaner, more efficient urban mobility. Lee also cited Miri’s free Smart Bus service as a model of success in encouraging public transport usage, noting its positive impact on traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.
“Schools have also played a role by encouraging students to use public buses, fostering environmentally responsible travel habits from a young age,” he said. During the meeting, Lee exchanged views with the ASEZ delegation on sustainable transport planning and welcomed feedback and ideas from the student volunteers, underscoring the importance of youth engagement in shaping future climate and transport policies.
The meeting included discussions on sustainable transport planning, with ASEZ volunteers sharing ideas and feedback. Lee emphasised the importance of youth engagement in shaping future climate and transport policies in Sarawak.
