KUALA LUMPUR – Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has offered his condolences over the recent passing of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.
Hailing Carter as an environmental activist who managed to kickstart significant green initiatives, Nik Nazmi highlighted that the 100-year-old had championed renewable energy as well as energy conservation and efficiency. both in and out of the White House.
“(Carter) helped pioneer the climate change advocacy of today. He installed the first solar panels on the White House,” the minister said in a social media post, noting that Carter’s environmentalism was influenced by his strong Christian faith.
He also said that as a Nobel Peace laureate, Carter was a tireless champion of human rights and a strong opposer of poverty who objected to the Iraq War as a “gross and damaging mistake”.
“(Carter) called for, as per the title of his famous book, ‘Peace, not Apartheid’ for Palestine. There is much we can learn from his life and legacy,” Nik Nazmi added.
Expressing similar sentiments, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also shared his sorrow over Carter’s passing, upholding the veteran politician’s ability to put principle above politics on the question of Israel.
“(Carter) dared to confront the third rail of American politics, labelling Israel’s practices in Palestine as apartheid long before many others would do so,” Anwar said in a social media post.
“(Carter) endured withering criticism from the pro-Israel lobby by steadfastly championing the two-state solution. To the end, he stood unwavering – an unyielding, quiet force for peace and justice.
“Americans often say they don’t make them like they used to. In Carter’s case, they truly don’t,” Anwar added.
In joining fellow leaders mourning Carter’s death and celebrating his devoted service to his country and humanity, Anwar said that what stood out most about Carter was his willingness to defy America’s political elites on the most crucial matters of war and peace.
This, the prime minister said, extended to dialogues with Cuba, championing the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and decrying the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Yesterday, the Carter Centre confirmed Carter’s death, marking the end of the longest-lived US president who dedicated his time to public service, humanitarian efforts and the pursuit of peace.
Carter’s presidency, spanning from January 1977 to January 1981, was marked by significant challenges, including economic turmoil and the Iranian hostage crisis.
However, his tenure also witnessed notable achievements, such as brokering the Camp David Accords, a landmark peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.
Born in 1924, Carter’s early life included service as a naval officer and as a farmer. He later served as the governor of Georgia before becoming the US president. Following his presidency, Carter returned to Plains, choosing a modest lifestyle and dedicating himself to global humanitarian efforts.
His wife, Rosalynn Carter, to whom he was married for 77 years, passed away in 2023. Carter is survived by four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. – December 31, 2024