Tag - Environment

KOTA KINABALU: A group of scientists from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) paid a courtesy call to Institute for Development Studies, Sabah, (IDS) yesterday. IDS Executive Director cum CEO Datuk Mohd Hasnol Mohd Ayub met the visitors led by KRIBB president Dr Oh Tae Kwang. Also present was a member of IDS Board of Directors, Datuk Nancy Ho. KRIBB is a Korean government research institute dedicated to biotechnology research. Their research on biotechnology covers broad areas from basic studies to fundamental understanding of life phenomena. Their research includes new drug discovery, novel biomaterials, integrated biotechnology and bio-information. In his briefing to IDS, Dr Oh stated that since its existence KRIBB has carried out a number of research and development (R&D) activities and related projects in bio-science and biotechnology. Their R&D was done in joint effort with other research institutes, academic institutions and businesses at home as well as abroad. Dr Oh expressed his pleasure for being able to extend this collaboration to IDS. Hasnol welcomed the move by KRIBB. He said both IDS and KRIBB should explore further on detailing out the collaboration to benefit both parties, in particular the governments of Sabah and Korea. He suggested for KRIBB to look into the possibilities of exploring research in biotechnology, particularly related to the greening of the environment and producing downstream products from Sabah’s abundant natural resources. As a commitment to the collaboration, KRIBB has extended an invitation to IDS board members to visit their research centre in Dae Jon City, Seoul Korea in September this year. This is in conjunction with the Bio Korea 2013 International Convention which will be held from September 11 to 13 in Korea. Source: Borneo Post  

KOTA KINABALU: Ararat Sports and Souvenirs Sdn Bhd’s four outlets in the state capital have received the ‘Litter Free Premises’ recognition from City Hall. The company is also now taking part in City Hall’s campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags in the state capital. “With Ararat’s participation in City Hall’s campaigns, there are now 78 ‘Litter Free Premises’ in Kota Kinabalu. “The number of premises which are promoting the ‘No Plastic bag on Saturday, Sunday and Monday’ campaign have now increased to 295 with the inclusion of Ararat’s four outlets,” Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir said before presenting Ararat Sports and Souvenirs group operations manager Benny Lim with the ‘Litter Free Premises’ certificate yesterday. “As I have always stressed, a litter free premises stresses on the concept of no indiscriminate littering, and rubbish must only be disposed in the bins provided. This means that all Ararat Sports staff do not litter indiscriminately and they can also promote the campaign to the public,” he said. According to Abidin, City Hall’s cleanliness campaign was an ongoing one and efforts were being carried out to expand its other campaigns such as the one against litterbugs. “I wish to record my gratitude to residents in the state capital for giving City Hall their full cooperation all this while as the responsibility of keeping the state capital clean belongs to all,” he added. Abidin also took to task owners of buildings, especially old ones at Bandaran Berjaya, Segama Complex and Sinsuran Complex for not maintaining their property. “I discovered many of the water and sewage pipes in these buildings leaking and in disrepair resulting in the back lanes of shops there becoming very dirty and smelly. The discharge from the damaged pipes not only attracts vermin and pests such as rats and flies but also makes the area unattractive. “As we are all aware, the tourism industry is one of the state’s main income generators. Therefore shop and building owners must play their part in helping the state government to ensure that tourists continue to visit Sabah,” he stressed. In view of this, Abidin urged all building owners in the state capital to cooperate with City Hall and make the effort to repair as well as beautify their premises so that the area becomes pleasing to the eye. He also advised eatery and restaurant owners to abide by the rules and regulations such as not using the walkways behind their shops to prepare food or wash their dishes. They must also ensure that the grease traps in their premises are properly maintained and that their employees do not throw food wastes into the drains. “City Hall is constantly monitoring the situation and will not refrain from taking action against anyone found committing an offence,” he warned. Source: Borneo Post

KOTA KINABALU: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun has applauded the continuous collaboration between Yayasan Sabah and Danish-based NEPCon for the management of the Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA) for the next 10 years. "Such collaborations between two countries are most welcome, especially between developed countries and developing countries, like Malaysia. "It is in the world's interests that we cooperate in preserving rainforests and our natural environment." Masidi was speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Yayasan Sabah and NEPCon, which is a non-profit organisation in Denmark, on the revision of the MBCA Management Plan 2014 to 2023, here. He said NEPCon, on behalf of the Danish government, had undertaken the responsibility of collaborating with the state in the preparation of the management plan 10 years ago. "This time, they took their own initiative, in support of Yayasan Sabah, to raise funding to review the MBCA management plan, which expired last year. "I encourage more people from Scandinavian countries to collaborate with the government in the environmental fields of strategic projects that not only influence the state, but the global community, too." NEPCon was approached for assistance when the MBCA Strategic Management Plan 2003 expired last year. The latter then secured funding of about RM1.17 million from Aage V. Jansen Foundation in Denmark for the purpose. Masidi also thanked Ikea, a Swedish organisation involved in environmental projects, for being one of Yayasan Sabah's biggest sponsors for its conservation programmes in the MBCA. The programmes, which include forest restoration and rehabilitation, were initiated through Ikea in 1998. "Despite having no stores in the state, Ikea has been in the state for the last 10 years through efforts to conserve pristine areas, as well as forest rehabilitation. "Malaysia, in general, and Sabah, in particular, is appreciative of the crucial contributions that the Scandinavian countries -- Denmark and Sweden -- have given to the state." Bernama Source: New Straits Times

Kota Kinabalu: A better species inventory on Gaya Island's rich biodiversity will be available soon, thanks to a six-day scientific expedition organised by the state park custodian, Sabah Parks. It is the first such large-scale research effort launched within the proximity of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, involving eight government and private agencies, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and 82 foreign researchers. A total of 58 research topics have been proposed covering fauna, flora, marine, community and eco-tourism potentials which is hoped would help the State update its biodiversity data. Sabah Parks Director Dr Paul Basintal said Gaya Island, being the largest of the five Islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, is the only place which has dipterocarp trees in its jungle and virgin mangrove all in one place. "Two species such as the 'Hopea philippinensis' and 'Quassia Borneensis' which can't be found anywhere else but in Gaya, he said during the launching of the Gaya Island Scientific Expedition. Dr Basintal said such effort would help determine whether the island's biodiversity was degrading or improved. Meanwhile, Sabah Parks Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Tengku Zainal Adlin said due to the island's rich biodiversity only 10 per cent of island's size are allowed for development. "The mangrove on the island plays an important role in preventing beach erosion and as ground for marine life to breed. Meanwhile, many of the native plants on the other islands have been replaced by the secondary jungle," he said. He said the findings of the scientific expedition will be the basic tools for data compiling and basic development of scientific data for the park. Adlin said the work will be the reference for Sabah Parks to better manage on the islands conservation effort. The findings of the scientific expedition will be available within six months from the date of launch.