All articles of environment in Sabah

Courtesy visit from Sabah State Education Director, Tuan Jame Alip

Sabah State Education Director courtesy visit
YB Datuk Masidi Manjun who is also the Sabah State Education Exco received a courtesy visit from  Tuan Jame Alip on the 8th of March, who recently became the new Sabah State Education Director, replacing Datuk Dr Muhiddin Yusin on the 4th of March.
YB Datuk Masidi Manjun yang juga merupakan Exco Pelajaran Negeri Sabah menerima kunjungan hormat  daripada Pengarah Pelajaran Negeri Sabah yang baru iaitu Tuan Jame Alip pada 8 Mac 2013 yang telah melaporkan diri pada 4 Mac yang lalu, menggantikan Datuk Dr Muhiddin Yusin. 
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Police, army chiefs assure Sabah is safe

LAHAD DATU: Although armed men have been sighted in several locations in Sabah, the two top Malaysian security force chiefs have assured that the state is safe. The assurance came from the Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar and Malaysian Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin during a joint press conference at the Felda Residence Sahabat here yesterday. “It is business as usual in Lahad Datu and other places in Sabah. I would like to assure the tourists that it is safe to travel to Sabah,” said Ismail. He said to date, no curfews have been issued and the people should stop spreading and believing rumours spread through the social media. Zulkifeli, meanwhile, said the situation is “under full control” and the general public, including those within the Rancangan Felda Sahabat vicinity, have no reason to be worried. “The incident is restricted within a small area (in Kampung Tanduo) and we have cordoned up the area, we are in control of the situation,” he said. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun had tweeted on Saturday: “Sabah is safe, the tourism industry is not affected by the event in Kg Tanduo, Lahad Datu. It’s business as usual at all our island resorts.” Zulkifeli also said the Malaysian armed forces are not worried about the Sultan of Sulu’s followers’ guerilla tactics and combat experience. In fact, he has assured that they have the means and ways to end the on-going stand-off at Kampung Tanduo, some 150 kilometres from here. “We have identified where they are believed to be, right at the centre of an area (within the Felda Sahabat vicinity), but with their people spread out, snipers and so on. So they know that we cannot go in without any casualties. “So because the area is open, we have our plans, but we cannot rush things. What is important is that we have contained them and they are unable to go anywhere. They are unable to cause much harm. “They are under close surveillance of our special forces and we have got to put this episode to closure as soon as possible … but it will take time,” said Zulkifeli. He said although the Malaysian armed forces have the means, they will have to be very deliberate. “There has to be joint planning between the police general operations force and members of the armed forces.” He said the security forces have blocked both the air and sea borders using all the means at their disposal. “As you are fully aware, Sabah waters are very wide, but we try to watch them and guard our sea borders as much as possible using the technical means we have,” he said. Zulkifeli said they would beef up their manpower to assure the people that their safety is protected. Meanwhile, State police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the police and the army are in the midst of finalizing details before taking drastic action against the armed group claiming to be the Royal Sulu Army that entered Kampung Tanduo about three weeks ago. Hamza said the group had been given the opportunity to surrender and the police had dropped flyers to warn the group, but they had refused to retreat. He said the situation in Kampung Tanduo was still under control and he urged the people to stop spreading and listening to rumours. “Do not trust the rumours or information that have not been confirmed by the authorities as it could cause panic among the people,” he said. On Saturday, the police dropped flyers to the intruders and urged them to surrender or face drastic action from the security forces. However, the armed group refused to retreat and remained there claiming that they do not have to leave their own land. The incident which has now entered the third week, have resulted in casualties when two Malaysian commandos were killed in the shooting incident on Friday morning. Source : Borneo Post
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Suspicious gathering at Sepanggar a rumour – police

KOTA KINABALU: City police chief ACP Jauteh Dikun has refuted rumours that some 500 Filipinos have gathered in Sepanggar Bay in suspicious circumstances. Jauteh said the police had dispatched officers to the location upon hearing of the information and had verified that it was only a rumour. He therefore urged the public to remain calm, do not panic and do not listen to baseless rumours. He also assured that the police have intensified security and remained vigilant to safeguard the security of the state. Jauteh added the public could call Kota Kinabalu police station hotline at 088-221191 at any time for any inquiries. Source : The Borneo Post
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Pilot project to secure Sabah Mega Biodiversity

KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) with the support from relevant government department (i.e. Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD)) are in the midst of preparing a five to 10 years programme as a pilot project to manage multiple-use forest landscape and secure the Sabah Mega Biodiversity in Gunung Rara and Kalabakan. Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) conservation and research head, Raymond Alfred said in a statement that under the programme, each plantation would be needed to establish their own wildlife conservation unit. Among others, the programme aims to initiative a monitoring programme to assess the status of elephants population. It also hopes to start the honorary wildlife warden programme as well as manage and restore degraded forests corridor, particularly those within the DaMaI (Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon) corridor. Additionally through the programme, they also hoped to initiative enforcement using MIST and provide mitigation training and management measures to reduce human – elephant conflicts, he said. Aside from that, the sustainable practice in multiple use forest management landscape would also be initiated. The programme shall also provide support to the “Kejora” cost of living and medical requirements in Lok Kawi zoo. “BCT is now in discussion with our relevant key partners to materialize the 10 years programme. We hope to get the support from the State Government and relevant departments in charge of Tourism and Plantations,” he said. Source : Borneo Post
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Kuala Penyu’s eco tourism potential to be tapped: CM

Kuala Penyu: Efforts are afoot to attract more investments and tourists here by capitalising on the district's potential to be a top eco-tourism attraction, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. He said the district had been fortunate after getting several mega development projects such as the Sitompok Bridge, schools and replacement of old water mains spanning from Limbawang to Kayul that cost RM50 million as well as the RM226 million water treatment plant announced by the Prime Minister during his visit to Beaufort recently. "These projects will not only benefit the people in Beaufort but also Kuala Penyu. This is what we want, a leader who listens to whatever we ask, it will be readily considered for approval. "But, it does not end here, we must not be easily satisfied, what is important, more will come for Kuala Penyu. Since it is a very beautiful place our plan is to attract more tourists to come. "With more tourists coming and investments it will create job opportunities for the local community at the same time creating economic spin-offs that benefit the whole district," he said. Speaking at the Chinese New Year open house hosted by Upko Beaufort at Dewan Dato Shahbandar Makang here Monday, Musa who is also Finance Minister said it was crucial that the people not be influenced by leaders from the opposition here. "If we look at these so-called leaders most of them are actually re-cycled leaders," he said. According to him, the people should look for a leader who has a vision to improve the district and always finding ways as well as means to develop the district and surrounding areas like Mempakul and Menumbok, especially in the tourism area. "Attending wedding receptions or funerals alone is not enough," he said. He said the State's financial account had been endorsed and verified to be among the best-managed in the country by the Auditor-General. He reiterated that the people here just like in other parts of Sabah were wise and politically-matured so they would know to reciprocate during the General Election if the BN government and leaders have done good things for them. The BN government has a proven track record, particularly in fulfilling its promises to the people, unlike the opposition pact, Pakatan Rakyat, he said. Musa pointed to Selangor, which used to be so developed under the BN government but now was going totally the opposite under the Pakatan state government. "So this is a clear proof that they (opposition) make promises that they cannot keep,  so we must make sure we do not make the mistake (during election)," he said. Towards this end, Musa said the present government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had been very attentive to the needs of the people irrespective of race and religion. "Billions of ringgit has been poured in by the Federal Government for the development of the State, including Kuala Penyu and I would like to thank the Prime Minister for giving more development projects to the State during his recent visit to Sabah," he said. During his visit to Beaufort, Papar and Tuaran recently, the Prime Minister was so pleased to see the strong unity among the people. "We have so many different ethnic groups in Sabah but what is special is that we celebrate all festivals together and Kuala Penyu is no exception. "We need to continue preserving this culture so that we can continue to live in peace and harmony as well as helping each other," he said. More than 3,000 people attended the open house here. Later, Musa accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin, Upko Beaufort Chief, Datuk Wences Anggang, Kuala Penyu Assemblyman, John Teo Mau Sing, State BN secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Umno Beaufort acting chief, Isnin Aliasneh presented angpow to the senior citizens here. Source : Daily Express
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