ABS Bill goes to Parliament next month

KUALA LUMPUR: The Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Bill, which is to regulate access to biological diversity and natural resources, is expected to be tabled at the Parliament next month.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (pix) said the bill was currently being revised by the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"This bill will regulate the biodiversity sector and enable us to take action against outsiders who try to steal from our forests and patent it abroad.
"It is also aimed at ensuring that the benefits from the country's biological resources, such as traditional herbs and medicines, are fairly and equitably shared to generate new wealth in accordance with the New Economic Model 2010," he told reporters after opening the National Conference on ABS here today.

The minister said he was confident that the bill would be passed by the Parliament next year.
The drafting of the bill is in line with the country's obligation under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

CBD is an international treaty, participated by Malaysian since 1992, which recognises the sovereign rights of countries over their natural resources in areas within their jurisdiction.

The national conference on ABS today was aimed at creating awareness on ABS as a preparation for Malaysia to implement the law.

It was participated by approximately 120 representatives of the federal and state governments, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, and private companies. — Bernama