“It is rather unfortunate that the decisions we make in terms of development do not take into consideration the needs of the future generations, especially when the environment is destroyed,” said Tan Sri Razali Razali.
The former diplomat and Permanent Representative to the United Nations expressed his fears on the developments that are taking place in his opening speech at the launching of the ‘Gotong Royong’ at the 250-hectare USM Recreational Park. More than 200 undergraduates, principal officers of the University and other members of the campus community participated in the ‘Gotong Royong’.
“Just look at the heat wave that we are experiencing today. The situation was very different when I was your age,” he told the USM undergraduates.
Tan Sri Razali urged the authorities to protect the USM environment and to carry out an inventory of the plants in the USM Recreational Park to ensure that it was always protected.
“If necessary, I am prepared to bring in experts in botany from overseas to help the university to carry out this task,” he added.
Tan Sri Razali planted a Meranti tree before visiting the Recreational Park. He chatted with the students and urged them to continue with voluntary activities such as this.
Also present at the ceremony were the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Omar Osman; USM Registrar, Haji Azman Abdullah; the Bursar, Hajah Salmiah Che Puteh; and the Dean of the School of Housing, Building and Planning, Prof. Ir. Mahyuddin Ramli.
