It is a pleasure to welcome all of you to the launch of THE LINE: Beyond the Forest’s Edge. Thank you for joining us as we explore the relationship between our growing city and the natural environment that sustains it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the heart of this exhibition is a timely question: as Greater Kuala Lumpur continues to grow, how do we ensure that progress strengthens, rather than diminishes, the natural systems on which our lives and economy depend? This makes the launch of THE LINE alongside the JC3 Journey to Zero Conference 2026 especially meaningful. Complementing the conference theme, “Building Climate and Nature Resilience for People and Business”, the exhibition brings this important conversation into the realm of art—making visible the natural systems that support our cities, communities and economy.

This same commitment to safeguarding our future is reflected in the work of museums. Museums preserve the heritage that shapes our identity, at the Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, this responsibility extends beyond objects and stories to the natural heritage that sustains us. Through exhibitions, public programmes and creative collaborations, BNM MAG has progressively deepened public awareness of sustainability and the importance of preserving our natural environment.

Malaysia is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries. Although we occupy only 0.2% of the world’s land area, our tropical rainforests support an exceptional variety of habitats and species—from lowland dipterocarp and montane forests to peat swamps and mangroves. This natural wealth is not merely part of our landscape; it is part of our national inheritance.

These forests are also home to both local fauna and Indigenous communities. Furthermore, Malaysia’s rich biodiversity provides a wide array of essential ecosystem services upon which the economy and people’s well-being depend—from air purification and temperature regulation to flood mitigation and carbon sequestration.

This afternoon, we are invited to experience Greater Kuala Lumpur through the collective perspectives of four artists, led by respected Malaysian documentary photographer Ian Teh. Through photography, forest soundscapes, audio-visual works and an immersive 360-degree virtual reality experience, THE LINE traces five decades of development across the city and its surrounding forests – capturing the evolving relationship between the city and its natural environment. It asks us to look closely at what progress has created, what remains, and what we must safeguard for the future.

Presented by Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, this exhibition reflects the Bank’s commitment to understanding how environmental change can affect economic and financial resilience. It also affirms the role of art in opening space for observation, dialogue and reflection. Through their works, THE LINE invites us to reflect on the importance of safeguarding the natural heritage that continues to sustain and enrich our lives.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When we released the report A LEAP for Nature: Advancing Nature-related Financial Risk and Opportunity Assessment in Malaysia in June, I emphasised a simple but fundamental truth: Nature underpins all economic activities. Our businesses, financial institutions and communities depend on the resources and ecosystem services that nature provides. When these systems are weakened, the consequences are not only environmental, they can also affect livelihoods, assets and long-term economic resilience.

While the links between nature, the economy and the financial system are increasingly recognised, they are not yet consistently reflected in decision-making. As climate- and nature-related risks become more apparent, we should continue to deepen our understanding of these interdependencies and consider them appropriately in economic and financial decisions.

I congratulate Ian Teh and his team, Yii Kah Hoe, William Kok and Tom White, together with the exhibition team, for bringing THE LINE to life. Through their work, they illuminate not only the extraordinary beauty of our forests, but also the growing pressures confronting these invaluable natural landscapes. More importantly, their work helps us see that healthy ecosystems are not a constraint on progress; they are part of the infrastructure that supports economic resilience, societal well-being and sustainable growth.

Thank you for joining us this afternoon. THE LINE will be on display until 4 April 2027. I hope the exhibition leaves us with a deeper understanding that protecting nature is essential to creating a sustainable, liveable and resilient city. Progress is shaped not only by what we build, but also by what we preserve for future generations. Let us choose a future in which our cities and nature can thrive together.