Zainal set to 'party' with the Greens

Veteran singer/songwriter and environmental crusader Zainal Abidin is to set up a political party geared solely towards conservation and humanitarian issues.

Formerly a lead vocalist with the band Headwind, Zainal is best known for his environmental anthem Hijau (‘Green’). Featured in Zainal’s self-titled solo debut album, the song helped set him apart from his peers with its green agenda.

Since the song was released in 1992, Zainal has continued to actively advocate environmental causes and promote environmental awareness.

Frustrated with the slow pace of reform, however, Zainal and other activists now intend to set up Malaysia’s first Green Party.

In an interview, Zainal insisted that he has no political ambition and that the party is merely a means to an end - to push the government to do more for the environment. Edited excerpts follow.

Malaysiakini: So, what is Zainal Abidin up to now?

Zainal Abidin: Well, making an album is a side line. Of the current things, most of my time is focused on charitable work, environmental campaigns and conservation projects.

When I came up with Hijau in 1992, not many people understood what it was all about. Malaysians didn't really understand alam sekitar (the environment), what environmental issues are... but after two, three years, they (have come to) like the song, they relate with the song, they understand the lyrics and they start questioning (the situation).

I'm happy that until today, the song is still being played on the radio. I've created an impact and educated the public about the environment. I'm still working on (the environment) because it's a lifetime project.

So why a Green Party and why now? We already have many NGOs fighting for environmental causes.

That's right. We have a lot of NGOs. If we have 200 NGOs and then you have about 200 voices, right? To tell the government what to do, to assist the government in what to do, and then 200 voices is too many voices to listen to.

So I thought it would be good if (we could) form a Green Party which has no political agenda, risk or religion behind it, (but is one) concentrating 100 percent on the environment. Instead of 200 NGOs, there can be one party, one voice and (at least) one seat in Parliament.

You have said the Green Party will be independent...

It will be an independent party but we would need to hang on someone because we do not want to have enemies. We do not want to have competitors. Independent but no competitors. We will help the opposition, we also help the ruling coalition as long it’s good for the environment.

If in the Parliament, the opposition says ‘stop the (use of) plastic bags’, we would support them because it is good for the environment. If the ruling coalition says we can't, (we will ask it to explain its stand).

You have been quoted as saying that you just want one seat in Parliament. Do you think one is sufficient to make a difference on environmental issues?

It’s more then sufficient because we just want to speak on behalf of all the NGOs, since no one talks on their behalf in Parliament.

Are you saying that the current government or MPs are not doing their job?

They're doing their jobs but ministers keep changing...They have certain good projects that they're supposed to do but the ministers keep changing.

What response do you expect for a party that is not based on race?

I made the announcement (recently) but the (number of) calls that I received has been huge!. I'm telling you, all the NGOs are calling me. They want to be in the party, they want to support me...it’s not only them, but private companies which have interests or products that involve green technology.

I don’t want to be a minister because I'm an artiste. I'm a singer. I'm not a politician...I just want to be the founder and (the person who has come up) with the idea, that’s all.

What would be the Green Party’s stand on social issues, such as healthcare and poverty?

We will look into humanitarian (elements that also focus) on kids. We will look into the interests of orphanages, the interests of disabled children (and) sick children. We want to help them. This party will make sure that someone looks after them and takes care of them.

Our government is considering using nuclear energy. What is your stand on this?

You can't stop modern technology. Nuclear (power) is dangerous for humankind but if you have proper advice from scientists, especially green scientists, I think you can use it in a very proper manner.

What led to the idea of a Green Party?

Anthony Wong, who is also an environmentalist, was frustrated with the (lack of support for) green projects. We sat down (to talk about this) and said ‘Hey, why don't we go one step ahead by having a Green Party?’At the time, we just wanted to make an announcement because we want to see the feedback from the public. The feedback was tremendous (and) unexpected.

Some people in the cabinet have also called to say ‘Hey Zainal, I might switch, you know’. I told them ‘No, you must be loyal to your party because I'm not your opposition’. The Green Party will not be a 100 percent political party. I call it a political party, but there's no political interests in it.

What strategy do you have planned for the party’s campaigns? When can we see this?

Next year we'll have a seminar and convention about climate change. This seminar will be held in May in Langkawi and we'll talk about 101 ways to save money and energy by being green.

Let’s say that, if the Green Party has a seat in Parliament, the first thing I would want to do is to stop the use of plastic bags and styrofoam. Next would be to make it a law that every birth and death is to be marked by planting a tree.

We will also target children to educate them about the environment, to save the environment, to reduce waste. Over the next 50 years, environmental conservation will then become part of the culture. That's what I want.

What do have to say about hillside development?

We're a developing country. We need to develop but sometimes you don't have to cut trees. I’ve seen in Australia and some parts of Europe that there are trees more than 30 metres high. If they have to build a road, they would not cut a tree that is in the way. They go around the tree.

But here, before we build a house, we cut everything and then we plant new trees. I don't think this is good. Pembangunan harus terancang dan dirancang lebih awal (development should be planned and planned earlier) (The authorities here) don't plan; that’s why they have failed.

When can we see this Green Party?

I don't know; maybe before the next general election. Maybe after the next election. Anytime we’re ready, we'll make an announcement and (register the party).

Any last thoughts or message?

This comes from the bottom of my heart. I won’t ask anyone to become a member of my party but I want all Malaysians to believe in my objective. I'm not doing this for myself, family or my friends. I'm doing this for my children, your children and everybody's children.