THE on-going spell of scorching heat wave in South-east Asia is indeed alarming.

Telling the public how to stay safe alone is not the panacea.

Malaysia needs to press the environment planning re-think button if it really cares for our safety and health.

With temperatures scaling beyond 36 degrees daily and lingering late into the evenings as well as heating our concrete homes at night, rain is only a temporary relief.

The sporadic use of air conditioners in homes, offices, eateries and vehicles may bring great relief but only adds to the heat waves’ destructive nature.

The smart solution is to look at the national greening policy and culture in our country.

In particular the barren roadways that put tremendous pressure on motorists demand a national policy born out of urgency and long haul solutions.

So too for our tamans that are robbed of trees. Likewise too our schools and hospital compounds that are deprived of shady trees all in the name of development and space optimisation.

It is time that the government summons all local and state agencies to re-plant trees nationwide.

Falling leaves, flowers and berries are not litter or dirt. On the contrary these only enrich our earth.

Trees are not a threat in storms – unlike the huge, aging angsana and rain trees.

We should bring back the humble ‘cherry’ trees, bamboo, neem trees and other similar fauna that do not need expensive maintenance and care.

Instead of going after form the government must re-think substance.

Hence planting expensive imported palms and decorative plants in towns and cities it is time to act prudently.

What our roadways need are shady walkways and an intelligent planting of trees along highways that can not only absorb the carbon emissions but also cut off the glare from oncoming vehicular lights as well as provide a screen against the blazing, rising to setting sun, east to west.

It is time to educate citizens that planting trees in their respective tamans is not a maintenence nuisance.

Perhaps this re-think urgency that must be led by the government is to get every, landed home owner to have at least one shady tree or foliage in or outside their compounds.

Likewise highrise apartment builders / maintenance managements must ensure that smart planning and planting of trees is a must.

Our collective failure to re-think our environment planning and corrective action taking will bring ever escalating pains and anguish, loss and dangers in the long haul.

Can Malaysia set the benchmarks or at the least emulate the policies and culture of staying green as is practised by most of its Asean fraternity countries? – August 5, 2025

J. D. Lovrenciear is a Scoop reader