Description

Malaysia is tropical and lush with enough water for its needs on an annual basis but there are still certain times of the year where shortages occur and many Malaysians accept water cuts as part of everyday life.

Transcript

Forest Water Campaign in Malaysia Malaysia Benjie: Your listening to R FM 91.5 FM in Kuala Lumpur City it’s hot, hot, hot but have you ever imagined how important water is and can you or have you ever imagined what will happen if we do not protect our forest now. I want to play you this song by –it’s called the Water Song and its to remind you again how precious water is. Correspondent: So how do you make people aware of how precious water is? You launch an advertising campaign every bit as professional as any multinational company would do. WWF Malaysia’s Forest for Water, Water for Life Campaign is doing just that. It has got off to a flying start and it’s beginning to change the way Malaysian’s think about use and manage water. Tropical and blush and benefiting from two monsoons each year. The idea that Malaysia should have a water crisis seems absurd but sporadic shortages occur and in 1998 parts of Malaysia without water for weeks as a result of the far reaching impact of El Nino. Dr. Ramadasan Krishnan (WWF Malaysia): We have experienced a water shortage last year now this should act as a warning to us as to the more careful in our handling of water resources. Forests for Water, Water for Life Dr. Ramadasan: 10 things mainly to create a Venice of the link within forest and water also the length being water and lime. Male: Hi good afternoon. Female: Good afternoon to you. Male: I am here for interview with Benjie. Correspondent: An effective campaign requires reinforcing the message. Benjie: This is Benjie on R FM in Kuala Lumpur City and we are talking a little bit about water today. Male: Yeah we launched this it’s the theme Forest for Water, Water for Life it’s basically to create a awareness of the importance of the rainforest and as well as preservation of water. So this all came up and basically the lyrics in this song explains that. Correspondent: In Malaysia the fragile world of the highland province is the birth place of more than 20% of the countries brush water. One such forest is hear at Fraser’s Hill, A hill station 60 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur in the main range a series of mountains which forms the backbone of Peninsula Malaysia. LaSalle is also part of the campaign too. He travels the country with his mobile education unit visiting schools to inform children about the value of their environment. He’s going to Fraser’s school today to talk to children about the link between forest and water. LaSalle: Because the teachers are good multiplies so many people like that because one mobile unit cannot go around spreading the news. The best way is get the multipliers. Correspondent: As far as spreading the message is concerned if the campaign is to be credible accurate scientific data is vital to keep the public informed. Here the campaign team is discussing strategy. Female: In order to have a constant supply of clean water we have to be sensitive to what environment degradation, any kind of threats or pollution sources. So it’s actually what we do is package it in such a way that the public will be aware of the appointments of our work and the importance of the rivers as well. Correspondent: So although industrial logging and bank clearing for tourist resorts and roads has led to serious siltation and degradation of rivers that campaigns message is for everyone. Policy makers, industrialist and ordinary people should take responsibility for the protection of forests a vital water source. Dr. Ramadasan Krishnan (WWF Malaysia): Take good care of your forest and into your water supply if you lose this waters then your water supply will not be there. Benjie: This is Benjie on R FM in Kuala Lumpur City and if you are one guy who goes to the bathroom and leave the cap running this is the time that you should stop.