Tag - Environment

KOTA KINABALU: No property developments are allowed within a kilometre radius of the KK Wetlands near here. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, after opening the international symposium on the conservation and management of Wetlands “Sustainable Conservation and Management of Wetlands” at the Le Meridien near here yesterday, said if property developers were allowed to develop the areas near the KK Wetlands, it would drastically reduce the environmental and habitat qualities of the site due to daily human activities. “The Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society has written a letter to the government asking the latter to interfere on several (property) development proposals. I am delighted to announce that with the cooperation of City Hall as a commitment of the state government, we will ensure the site remains sustainable by rejecting several proposed housing development projects at areas near the KK Wetlands,” he said. He mentioned that this included a condominium development project that has been proposed near the site. “This signifies the government’s seriousness in ensuring there is a balance between development and the effort to maintain and look after the environment. We see that there is something that needs to be done for this unique site and it can be inherited by the future generation.” Masidi further mentioned that any form of development should consider this issue and expressed that it was his hope that all developers would see it as their responsibility to ensure the site remains as pristine as it is now. “We have no objections for developers to reap profits from their property development activities but let the profits be accompanied with the feeling of responsibility towards sustaining the environment.” He also said property developments should not take place anywhere near the KK Wetlands as they were bound to scare away the migratory birds that were seeking refuge there. “It is bound to have an impact … we don’t see it at the moment but we shouldn’t risk it.” Masidi also commented on the symposium, describing it as a venue that provided an opportunity for the people in Sabah to learn of ways to look after the wetlands and also source for funds that will go towards sustaining and looking after the site. Meanwhile, Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society president Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa said the KK Wetlands is a 24-hectare mangrove swamp located in the heart of the city. Since its inception, the centre has attracted 130,000 visitors and has provided awareness on the roles played by wetlands as an ecological provider of precious resources such as food, timber, medicines and rich biodiversity and ecological services such as storm protection, erosion prevention, water retention, and nursery ground for juvenile marine creatures like fish, crabs and prawns. “Of this figure, more than 30,000 students have participated in various forms of environmental education programme specifically tailored to educate our younger generation on these important roles,” he said.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is expected to benefit from Warisan Harta Sabah’s proposed long term programme, which has been sanctioned by the State Cabinet  n 2013, to implement clean and sustainable small hydro-power schemes below 30MW capacity aimed at providing reliable electricity supply and bring about socio economic benefits. “This is indeed a commendable approach by the State Government, which aims to attain a ‘developed state’ status by year 2020. By enabling Warisan Harta Sabah to spearhead the development of renewable energy based on small hydro, it is entrusted with protecting Sabah’s natural water resources, indigenous people and surrounding environment. “Following its participation in several sizable abandoned power generation projects in Sabah – Warisan Harta Sabah realized that the State’s pressing concern is energy security and continuous sustainable supply of energy at affordable prices. “The present shortfall in generation capacity for Sabah had resulted in frequent blackouts, but with the State’s huge hydro potential to be harnessed from its natural water resources, Warisan Harta Sabah endeavours to assist State Government to overcome this,” Warisan Harta Sabah chief executive officer Datuk Haji Abu Bakar Haji Abas said in a statement issued here yesterday. With Malaysia as a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol which led to the establishment of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) in 2011, Abu Bakar said Warisan Harta Sabah aimed to implement its small hydro-power generation projects (below 30MW) as stipulated in the Concession Agreement, which is pending, with the State Government under the Feed-in Tariff mechanism administered by SEDA. Besides this, he said Warisan Harta Sabah would tap other fiscal and non-fiscal incentives offered by the government to facilitate the development of renewable energy resources in Sabah. Warisan Harta Sabah, being the wholly-owned investment arm of the State Government, was established in 1995 to be the catalyst for Sabah’s economic growth in strategic sectors including power generation. “In line with its founding objectives, Warisan Harta Sabah in conjunction with the State Economic Planning Unit of Sabah, will embark on the development of small hydro-power potentials (all under 30MW capacity), mainly using run-of-river schemes that have been identified under its proposed master plan. Guided by the master plan, detailed feasibility studies will be carried out on 17 identified sites with an estimated combined installation capacity of 432 MW.” Abu Bakar said the benefits of developing the proposed small hydro schemes included reliable, clean and cost-effective electricity supply, the creation of job opportunities to benefit local communities, economic spin-off effects and better infrastructure. “The socio economic spin-off will promote and encourage tourism, education, support agriculture and fisheries activities.” In developing small hydro-power generation schemes, he said that Warisan Harta Sabah would adopt the compliance standards of the International Hydro-power Association’s (IHA) sustainability protocol and principles that has become established as best practices. “Engagement and consultations with local stakeholders will be given emphasis to discuss and address concerns, assess expectations in terms of infrastructure, environmental impact and the social impact on local heritage and indigenous communities,” he pointed out. Based on a preliminary study, he said the total capital expenditure expected to be incurred under Warisan Harta Sabah long term master plan was estimated at RM2.9 billion. “Funding will be raised through a combination of shareholders’ contribution and external source of funds that are available, subject to favourable terms.” “Following the State Government’s decision, Warisan Harta Sabah has taken a strategic approach to build up and fast-track its competencies in this area by acquiring a majority stake in a local company which has direct access to internationally recognized engineering, design and consultancy partners in Europe.” “With the foreign based engineering, design and consultancy partners, having an established track record in their respective competencies would help to develop this renewable energy sector in Sabah according to international standards besides imparting their expertise and knowledge to local talents,” he said when speaking at a special briefing to ‘stakeholders’ comprising various state and federal government agencies. Abu Bakar expressed his excitement on the possibilities that the development of the hydro-power schemes can bring benefits for the people of Sabah if properly implemented. “Warisan Harta Sabah will ensure that all projects are for the best interests of Sabah and will be guided by professionals capable of delivering our vision,” according to Abu Bakar “This will protect the long-term interests of the State and the benefits accruing will be a legacy over many decades to come and that the results will demonstrate the wisdom of the State Government.” “Warisan Harta Sabah is looking forward to engaging with the various stakeholders to obtain the necessary support for its endeavours,” he said. Source : Borneo Post