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Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is the oldest and one of the most prominent environmental not for profit, non govermental organanisation in Malaysia. It was first established, as the Malayan Nature Society, with the launch of the Malayan Nature Journal, in 1940. Initially primarily as a scientific organisation, today MNS is involved in a wide range of environmental activities and campaigns.

MNS is involved in conservations, parks and centres, educations and publications.

1. Conservation

To secure an integrated and comprehensive Protected Area system in Malaysia.

Build a knowledge base of key habitats and species with the aim to disseminate this information to decision makers.

To identify threats to the survival of habitats and species in the wild.

2. Park and Centre

MNS work involves in protecting several natural park and centre that serve an educational purpose such as :

1. Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP)

2. Nature Education Centre (NEC)

3. Environmental Interpretive Centre (EIC)

4. ecoCare Centre

5. Urban Environmental Education Hub (UEEH)

6. BOH Nature Study Centre

3. Education

MNS had established the Education initiatives to inculcate the love of nature in students and empower future generations to act in the protection of our natural legacy.

There were two educational programme under MNS :

1. School Nature Club (KPA)

2. KPA For Youth

4. Publication

Malaysian journalist

The Malayan Nature Jurnal

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Recent News

Hari Memerang Sedunia 2022 - Pertandingan Melukis

Sempena Hari Memerang Sedunia yang disambut pada 25 Mei 2022 ini, kami mempunyai berita baik untuk ahli Persatuan Pencinta Alam Malaysia dan Kelab Pencinta Alam! Serlahkan kreativiti dan bakat anda dengan menyertai Pertandingan Melukis Memerang Malaysia. MAKLUMAT PERTANDINGAN: TEMA: Hasilkan lukisan yang kreatif dengan menggunakan tema "Memerang Malaysia dan Habitatnya". Huraikan tentang lukisan anda dan [...]
KSNP Volunteers Day 2022 #6 - Mangrove Restoration (Mangrove Tree Planting - 18 June 2022)
KSNP Volunteer Day program is held monthly on the third or fourth Saturday. This year the volunteer program is developed to rehabilitate the degraded areas and to restore and conserve a healthy mangrove ecosystem at KSNP through public engagement. Participation from the public including MNS members aims to empower the ownership and raise awareness of [...]
World Tapir Day 2022 - Pertandingan Reka Cipta Logo 'Environmental Guardians'
Hi! MNS ingin menjemput anda semua untuk menyertai pertandingan Reka Cipta Logo 'Environmental Guardians'! Pertandingan ini merupakan salah satu program di bawah projek PROGRAM ALAM SEKITAR DAN PEMULIHARAAN FGV dan bertujuan bagi meningkatkan kesedaran awam tentang pemeliharaan dan pemuliharaan hidupan liar dan memperkasakan inisiatif di peringkat akar umbi dalam menangani isu hidupan liar dan alam [...]
The Blue Ocean Project
The Blue Ocean Project is a CUION's project with the purpose of creating an awareness of how detrimental disposable masks can affect our planet and promoting the use of reusable fabric masks as the solution to the disposable mask problem. In recent years, the widespread of disposable masks has gradually led to serious pollution of [...]
KSNP Volunteer's Day 2022 #5 - Mangrove Restoration (Mangrove Tree Planting)
KSNP Volunteer Day program is held monthly on the third or fourth Saturday. This year the volunteer program is developed to rehabilitate the degraded areas and to restore and conserve a healthy mangrove ecosystem at KSNP through public engagement. Participation from the public, including MNS members, aims to empower the ownership and raise awareness on [...]

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Recent News Hari Memerang Sedunia 2022 - Pertandingan Melukis Sempena Hari Memerang Sedunia yang disambut pada 25 Mei 2022 ini, kami mempunyai berita baik untuk ahli Persatuan Pencinta Alam Malaysia dan Kelab Pencinta Alam! Serlahkan kreativiti dan bakat anda dengan menyertai Pertandingan Melukis Memerang Malaysia.

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Non-governmental response to environmental management in Malaysia or internationally 

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Non-governmental response to environmental management in Malaysia or internationally 

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Example of Non-government organization in Malaysia:

1.      Langur Project Penang (LPP)

2.      United Nation Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

3.      The Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MyCAT)

Non- governmental organization contribution on environmental management

1. Youngster education on biodiversity conservation

(1)     In Malaysia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) acting the role in public in providing environmental education and awareness, at the same time, their roles are getting increasingly important as social mobility and affluent lifestyles are more prevalent among her citizens.

(2)     NGOs education on biodiversity conservation not only focus on giving education in school but general public as well.

(3)     The broadcast of information to the public about a cause or concern and to instigate, reinforce and entrench attitudinal and behavioural changes can be termed as social marketing and communication.

(4)     2.1. School-based environmental education

2.1.1. Passive education

At the most passive level, NGOs can create awareness by giving talks during school assemblies or lectures supplemented by exhibition panels, poster displays and the distribution of other relevant reading material.

2.1.2. Interactive education

Workshops, discussions or other in-class sessions would allow for more interaction between the students and NGO representatives.

The students are not taught “what to think” but “how to think”, giving them skills to analyze information, make “sound” judgments and respond with their solutions, ideas or further questions (Monroe, Day & Grieser, 2002).

2.1.3. Hands-on education (experiential)

First-hand experience in the actual ecosystem is always an effective way to encourage empathy and students can become environmental stewards by conducting research to better understand their local environment (Adkins & Rowland, 2001), or work with local scientists to monitor and collect data on specific species in their vicinity (LaBranche, 2001).

2.1.4 Empowerment

With adequate awareness, facilitation and positive experiences in the environment, students can be encouraged to design and implement their own research projects (LaBranche, 2001). When people commit to a course of action that is their own idea (bottom-up), the results are more likely to succeed and continue than when ideas are imposed from the outside in a top-down approach (Grieser, 2002).

Name: Wong Lek Moon
Matric  No.: 126208

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SAM and CAP: Banning the usage of trawl nets 

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SAM and CAP: Banning the usage of trawl nets 

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Survey conducted by Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Consumers’ Association Penang (CAP) found that trawl nets not only trap and kill more than 90% of juvenile fishes but also destroy coral reefs that serves as a breeding grounds for marine life. In recent years, trawlers have been more active in catching small fishes following the increasing demand to supply feed for the aquaculture industry.
Subsequently, there is frequent encroachment by trawlers into the coastal fishing area i.e. Zone A (1 to 8 nautical miles from shore).  This has caused depletion of fish stock, causing coastal fishermens’ catch to dwindle to nearly 70%.

Coastal fishermen claimed that their livelihood has been threatened since forty years ago due to the activities and encroachment of trawlers.  In addition to depleting income, major loss is also suffered when the trawlers collide with their fishing nets. At present, about 150 species of marine life are endangered or extinct due to the widespread and uncontrolled usage of trawl nets.

SAM and CAP urged the government to immediately ban the use of trawl nets in order to save the nation’s fisheries resources from impending extinction. SAM and CAP submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak on 18th of December 2014 to express their concern on the continued use of trawl nets as it will not only threaten the livelihood of 80,000 coastal fishermen in the country but also adversely impact the future of the fisheries sector.
The memorandum was also submitted to Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Dato’ Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Secretary General of the Ministry and the Director-General of Fisheries Department.
Department of Fisheries released a statement on the banning of trawl nets effective in 2016. However, that date was pushed forward and the ban has yet to be implemented until today.

Nur Isandra Shazlynn binti Shamsul Azmil
126178

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The logging activities, monoculture plantation projects, conversion of land for agriculture and mining that taken place in Permanent Reserved Forests (PRF) in Kelantan has risen as a serious issue in Kelantan. The approval from the Kelantan State Authorities for these activities without respecting the customary rights of the indigenous peoples in Kelantan.

A letter has been submitted on March 2015 to the Kelantan Menteri Besar through the Senior Private Secretary to the Chief Minister regarding the pertaining to forest management in Kelantan.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has submitted a memorandum titled “Proposed Improvement of Forest Management in Kelantan” to the State Authority during the meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister of Kelantan on November 2016. The main concern in the memorandum were the increasing implementation of monoculture plantation projects and the issues faced by the community as a result of forest harvesting activity especially logging activity for the purpose of developing monoculture plantations.

SAM also submitted several recommendations in writing during the discussion session between the Director General of Forestry, Peninsular Malaysia and environmental NGOs in May 2017. The recommendations including that all State Forestry Departments should stop implementing the monoculture plantation projects and other activities such as mining and quarrying as well in the PRF.

Some recommendations given by SAM to the State Authority were:

1.       The conversion of PRF to monoculture plantations and mining operations has to be stopped.

2.       Comply with the National Physical Plan (RFN) in relation to Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) and the Central Forest Spine (CFS).

3.       Logging in forested area above 1000m is prohibited. These areas are already categorized as ESA Rank 1.

4.       Indigenous customary land rights are respected and taken into account in forestry and land management which includes:

·         Issuance of logging operation licenses, plantation development, mining and taking of natural resources in indigenous peoples’ land has to be stopped.

·         The assurance on the procedure of Free Prior Informed Consent from the indigenous people community is fully applied in all processes during the gazetting of land and forest as well as any proposed land use conversion of PRF in Kelantan.

·         The process of mapping and marking of boundaries should introduced together with the territories of the indigenous people customary land based on the area agreed upon by members of the indigenous people community for the purpose of gazetting these territories and accompanied by the granting of communal grants.

Sadly, SAM has yet to receive any feedback from neither the Kelantan State Government nor the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia despite several actions has been done by them. The implementation of large-scale monoculture plantation projects in the PRF area are still pursuing by the Kelantan State Government. :(

VERNA SEE PIK KIM
126204

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The Global Environment Centre was established in 1998 to work on environmental issues of global importance. The Centre is registered in Malaysia as a non-profit organisation and it working regionally and globally through many partner.

The objective for this organization :

To promote integrated management of biodiversity and water resources with a focus on community involvement and biodiversity conservation;

To promote the protection and sustainable use of forests and wetlands with a focus on integrated management for biodiversity and climate change; and

To enhance awareness, understanding and capacity as well as partnerships between different organisations and sectors to address environmental issues.

Example of programme from GEC :
1. River Care Programme
Where they work closely with all stakeholders in solid waste management and water and river management, and believe that everyone has a role to play in the environment and established a River Care Programme (RCP) focusing on promoting community participation in river and water resource protection and sustainable use through the Civic Science approach.

2.Forest & Coastal Programme
GEC, promote and support sustainable management of forests and wetlands. Our aim is to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change through awareness and rehabilitation at local, national and regional levels. The main focus is development and promotion of community-based forest management and rehabilitation activities. GEC also support international cooperation and national actions to reduce deforestation, prevent forest degradation and fires, promote a sustainable livelihood and better income among forest - dependent communities.

3.Peatland Programme
one of the non-profit organization that is actively involved in peatland conservation and rehabilitation, GEC promotes sustainable management of peatlands and works closely with various stakeholders to promote best management practices in peatland management, peat fire prevention and rehabilitation.

Basically the concept for GEC, they will create environmental awareness program and others NGOs or communities that are interested and joining the program will get funded.

NURUL HARTINI
126186

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Climate Change and Thailand: impact and Response
Climate Change and Thailand: impact and Response


Thailand faced the worst drought in 2010 due to the change in climate  which has not happened in 20 years this resultto the water falling to the lowest level in 50 years. At this point the residents(villagers) living in this area along the mekong river said the river was so dried that they cab actually walk through the river which they have not experienced.
Thailand environmental NGO according to the Thailand's department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the drought negatively affected at least 7.6 million people and 59 of the countries and 76 Province. According to Kuankajorn, Thais who lived in the north, most especially in Chaing Rai, were going to face the biggest issue if the drought continues because they could not fish which is their main source of income and protein.
A Coalition of Regional NGO including the thais NGO charged the chinese dam construction was done at the upper level of the Mekong Basin and causing this unnatural disaster (drought). In this case the chinese government and the international water and some eveiromental experts considered tyhe issue to be the cause of climate change in that area, the climate change was the main factor limiting the amount of rainfall and causing the drought in Mekong River. according to Ian Campbell, a senior, envoromentalist at the MR, "The wet season started late and ended early last year. This is why rivers such as the  Mekong are experiencing low water levels."
Concurrently, officials, NGOs, academics and some private sector leaders, has agreed that Thailand needs to reduce the rate of carbon emission, studying the country's carbon emission with 10% of the global emission comparing it to the economic development in 2007

Franklin Orujekwe
(127235
Centre for Environment, Technology & Development, Malaysia (Cetdem)
Centre for Environment, Technology & Development, Malaysia (Cetdem)

CETDEM founding executive director, Gurmit Singh which a Penang-born environmentalist has delivered a scathing lecture on how his home state needs reform regarding governance, transportation and the environment. He listed Penang’s sustainability “follies”, which ran from land mismanagement, hillslope clearing, repeated coastal reclamation and poor urban redevelopment.

He gave an overview of “the march” of problems in Penang over the decades:

1950s — digging away of tram lines.
1960s — massive sewerage spill into Sungai Juru on the mainland.
1970s — the stoppage of local elections, the boom in electronic factories, and cable car mooted for Penang Hill.
1980s — coastal reclamation, rising number of cars and bikes.
1990s — high-rises and slope developments increase.
2000s — change in state government, blame game starts.
2010s — going green talk as flood and land-related problems rise.

Nurul Ain Binti Mustafa
126181

Bauxite mining in Kuantan
Bauxite mining in Kuantan
1. Gerakan Rakyat Hentikan Pencemaran Bauksit (Geram)  in Malaysia is petitioning its government to release a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the mining of bauxite ore, citing the length of the ongoing ban on the activity as evidence that the government does not take the problem of pollution seriously. The delay in announcing the SOP would reflect the lack of seriousness by the government to resolve the problem or find a solution to bauxite-mining. The government should have invited all non-governmental organisations (NGO), stakeholders, experts and others involved in bauxite-mining to discuss the best option, find a solution or seek their views.
2.  A group of over 20 NGOs have formed a coalition to lobby against rampant bauxite mining in the state. The initiative, lead by Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, consisted of civil and environmental groups such as the Pahang Bar Committee, Malaysian Nature Society, and Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka). Several groups like Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Himpunan Hijau, had been active in protesting against other mining issues like Lynas and the Raub goldmine controversy. The coalition aimed to engage the public and create awareness on the impact of bauxite pollution while directing the sentiment towards a more productive approach. It also planned to file a petition in Parliament, through the two MPs, to call for a stop to bauxite exportation until proper mining regulations are implemented.


YEW KER MING 
126210




Rakan Segari
Rakan Segari
  
 Coalition of NGO in Malaysia in raising awareness about issues happening in Pantai Segari Perak where it is losing their function as turtle nesting area due to human activities done there and heavy pollution that affect the turtle landing. Some of NGO involved are KUASA, SAM, Greenpeace, GRASS and MPS
 
Issues raised by Rakan Segari :

 1. Sand dredging activities occur in Environmental Sensitive area level 1 (KSAS1) where no activities should be done in the area except for low impact eco-tourism and research. When this activities happened, number of turtle landing in the area become lesser. 

2. Create awareness about beach cleanliness at Pantai Teluk Senangin which is a popular spot for recreation activities. They found that some irresponsible visitor left their trash at the beach and polluting the beach. The trash might end up in the ocean and cause harm to aquatic organism. 

3. They also conduct beach clean up to create cleaner beach environment. 

4. Encouraging people to visit the turtle sanctuary there to understand why it is important to care for environment and also saving the turtle.

 5. Create awareness about logging activities occur in Segari forest reserve. 

6. Organising Hari Bumi Segari in April 2017 involving many parties to show issues and problems happening in the area.

Muhamad Fahmi Bin Isa
126157


Environmental based NGOs strongly against reclamation project off the southwestern coast of Penang and other areas.
Environmental based NGOs strongly against reclamation project off the southwestern coast of Penang and other areas. 
Environmental-based non-governmental organisations (NGO) are adamant that the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project should not be implemented in Penang.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said it was never in favour of the proposed 1,821ha reclamation project near Permatang Damar Laut. They claimed the reclamation project would indeed have negative effect on the environment, and also affect the livelihood of the fishing communities near the project site.  

SAM stressed that the project would indeed have negative effect on the environment and also the fishing communities near the project site. Referring to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, it concurred that there would be an impact on the ocean food chain and the fishing industry due to total loss of mudflats. 

Meanwhile, Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Penang echoed the same sentiment, stressed that there was no need for the reclamation to fund the state government's highly-ambitious multi-billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). MNS said Penang government should look into cheaper alternatives for the proposed railway system for the PTMP.

Moreover, marine water pollution and ever decreasing fishing zones due to reclamation at the coastal area have caused dwindling fisheries resources and so catches by fishermen have deteriorated to 70 per cent of the fishermen daily income.

Nurul Amira binti Zulkefli
126183

Sungai Penchala (Recreationally Used) - River Education Programme
Sungai Penchala (Recreationally Used) - River Education Programme
Global Environmental Centre (River Care Program)

The Global Environment Centre (GEC) was established in 1998 to work on environmental issues of global importance. GEC is registered in Malaysia as a non-profit organisation (Reg. no. 473058-T) but works regionally and internationally both directly and through many partners. It supports information exchange and capacity building as well as undertakes strategic projects particularly in developing countries. GEC has rife knowledge and experience in rivers, mangroves, peat swamps and hill forest rehabilitation. They focus on ecological approach encourage ecosystem recovery and community involvement/development to create long-term sustainability. GEC relies its funding mainly on donations from many organisations and individuals such as the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA), the United Nations Environmental Programme, and the European Union.

Objectives of the River Care Programme are:
• Protect, conserve and promote living rivers and their biodiversity
• Promote restoration and rehabilitation of river and other water bodies.
• Raise awareness and educate all stakeholders about river care
• Promote civic consciousness and local action through river monitoring and mapping
• Support capacity building and networking of individuals, communities and organisations in river management

Sungai Penchala begins as a small trickle of water at the top of the Bukit Kiara Hill located near Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI). Sungai Penchala is special because it crosses a state boundary (i.e. the river begins in Kuala Lumpur but most of the river is in Petaling Jaya, Selangor where it meets Sungai Klang in the Bandar Sunway area).

Sungai Penchala has a river basin area of 14km2  and it runs for 12km long from upstream source before flowing in Sungai Klang. It is mainly used for recreational uses. 

The upstream of Sungai Penchala flows through the beautiful Lembah Kiara Park where it eventually turns into a canal lined with terracotta bricks. Unfortunately the artificial canal deprives the stream of its natural filtering function. The river continues flowing into the highly populated urbanised TTDI township where the stream is deepened, widened, and turned into a concrete channel. 

Pollution starts here with residential drainage network feeding it with domestic waste water and leaking sewage. The pollution increases when the river enters the Petaling Jaya district where it flows through many residential and industrial areas. The quality of the river steadily deteriorates as it meanders further downstream, and worse, it begins to look like an open sewer. 

GEC worked together with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Selangor, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Kuala Lumpur, the National Landscape Department, Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), and Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS) where they were targetting the local communities in Penchala River Basin, educational institution and business community in the area to protect and enhance Sg Penchala, urban river through local community engagement. In addition, the programme aims to promote and support local community, school, bussiness and other stakeholders' localised initiatives, as well as outreaching larger target groups through Mobile River Care Unit - a mobile river care education programme.

First, GEC formed a technical committee called WATER Project Technical Committee to oversee the project progress. They then conducted business community programme (e.g. TOT for Food Operators and training on waste segregation and waste audit) for targeted food courts within Penchala River Basin to prevent food waste pollution. The next step was to train seven local communities living within Penchala River Basin on river management where they will be acting as the "eyes and ears" of the river. Five educational institutions also participated in Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on river management. The project also trained a group of kindergarten teachers on river and waste management. An environmental ToT camp for youth involving 65 youth was held to instill environmental awareness particularly on river. The project is also working closely with Yayasan Chow Kit to outreach and educate youngsters on river care activities. Next, GEC has conducted 8 outreach activities using Mobile River Care Unit and established a River Care Education Centre at upstream of Sungai Penchala at Bukit Kiara. Lastly, they conclude with the establishent of Sungai Penchala Information Centre and Sungai Penchala Open Classroom to engage public on environmental awareness. This entire project was undergoing from 2015  to 2017 and was funded by Spark Foundation.

NG YANG QING 
(131303)

Wetlands International (WI)
Wetlands International (WI) 
Wetlands International (WI) are the organisation established in 1996 for the conservation and restoration of wetlands globally. WI vision is a world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for their beauty, the life they support and the resources they provide. They promote the importance of wetland and inform about the loss and threat to wetlands and their biodiversity continuesly. Wetlands are the source of water that crucial to supports all forms of life.They are rich in nature and vital to human life. They act as water sources and purifiers. They protect our shores. They are the planet’s greatest natural carbon stores. They are crucial to agriculture and fisheries. 
"A world without wetlands is a world without water."- Wetlands International
Nurulhuda binti Suhaime (126190)
Garbage galore on our beaches and 15 clean-ups
Garbage galore on our beaches and 15 clean-ups
Over 500 people in 15 locations around Malaysia took part beach clean-ups. But it was not just to clear the scenic seasides of trash, it was also to collect data on the sheer scale of the marine debris problem. 

Led by Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), volunteers included dive operations, resorts, community members, school kids, NGOs, government agencies, the private sector and tourists.

Marine debris have been problems that are attracting attention around the world, as the plastic is getting into the food chain. The efforts made by RCM was intended as a first step to raise awareness and bring attention to the problem and thus start to find real, practical solutions, rather than just keep repeating the clean-ups.

Locations in the clean-ups included the islands of Sibu (Johor), Tioman (Pahang), Perhentian (Terengganu), Pangkor Laut (Perak) plus four islands in Sabah, namely Gaya, Mantanani, Lankayan and Mabul. Clean-ups were also done on the mainland at Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Tanjong Jara, Terengganu.

RCM said they are ready to meet with the relevant government departments, including the National Solid Waste Management Department, the big food and drink companies, as well as the industry body Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association to discuss and to find the technologies to deal with the plastics, economic incentives to make it more likely that people will recycle. 

Wan Taniah Binti Md Isa
126205

Conserving mangroves of Kota Kinabalu(KK), Sabah
Conserving mangroves of Kota Kinabalu(KK), Sabah
 
In 1996, the mangrove was barely grounded. Over the years, continuous massive rehabilitation efforts by the early staffs of Sabah Wildlife Department WWF-Malaysia, Likas Wetlands Sanctuary Management Committee and later Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, together with volunteers from all ages were a success. The swamp is now covered with various species of mangrove plants is an evidence of the successful conservation efforts. Despites of the challenges especially in protecting KK Wetlands from the imminent threat of developments which are cropping at the borders. KK Wetlands is now successfully registered as a Ramsar site, which is the second in Sabah and the seventh in Malaysia. 

[9 October 2009] 
Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) embarks on a new partnership with Japanese real estate company, Mullion Co. Inc. to restore degraded mangrove areas around Sabah. The main objectives under this project are to replant a total of 25,000 mangrove seedlings within 5 years, while raising awareness on the importance of mangrove conservation and management for the local community and the general public.   

Ramendhirran A/L Govindasamy 
126196
Save the Mangroves of Sepang
Save the Mangroves of Sepang
MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY (MNS) 

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is the oldest NGO in Malaysia which was incepted in 1940. The objectives of MNS are to promote the study, appreciation, conservation and protection of Malaysia’s natural heritage focusing on the sustainable development and biological diversity. Although it has various activities related to the environment, water conservation is one of its concerns. Amongst its many activities related to water is a water forum in 2000 which focused on raising awareness among local communities, targeting resident associations and other grass root organizations. 

Major issue:
MNS’ Sepang Environmental Interpretive Centre, the 10km-long Jalan Besar Salak (B48) will be upgraded in stages starting from the junction at Simpang Tiga Jenderam up to Pekan Sepang Lama.

The project by Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) will widen the single-lane road to four-lane dual carriageway.

MNS received a notice that trees will be chopped down from March 19 onwards. The mangroves to be destroyed play a significant role in the ecosystem as it provides habitat to various species of flora and fauna.

Also to be destroyed as part of the project is Sepang’s District Office Administrative Centre which was built in 1892 and today serves as MNS’s Environmental Interpretive Centre.  Environmental Interpretive Centre (EIC) which is dominated by landscape of mangroves and rivers acts as a sanctuary to many species of flora and fauna such as the endangered smooth otter, which has been adopted by the EIC as its logo. EIC was established on 9th April 2009 and trained its focus on the conservation of mangroves and the Sepang rivers

Nor Syahirah bt Kamarulzaman (126171)

EcoKnights
EcoKnights
EcoKnights is the non-profit organisation that established in 2005, which is mainly focus on providing and delivering development and environmental interventions to communities, government agencies, learning institutes and companies. Their daily operations and efforts are based on 4 main pillars, supported by creativity and communications: 

- Outreach: They build bridges and reduce development gaps to deliver important interventions to communities who need them. This is for raising awareness and build the capacity of Malaysians to address environmental issues by taking action.

- Education: They delivers environmental educational interventions through formal and informal approach and also conducts scientific research and studies to advance the collection and dissemination of information to Malaysians. They aimed to deliver quality environmental educational programs and provide scientific evidence and information to Malaysians.

- Eco-nomy: They create and own platforms that promote a sustainable local and global economy through green entrepreneurship and sustainable lifestyles to guarantee a sustainable future. 

- Recruitment and Partnership: They mobilizes and influences important stakeholders to adopt sustainable lifestyles through smart partnerships and a membership program. They aimed to inspire and influence more Malaysians to take positive actions for the planet by adopting a greener lifestyle.

Among of the efforts that they are involved, is:

- Project H2O Air Kuning (Phase I)

This project was a collaboration between EcoKnights, AVEDA and Build For Tomorrow that worked on the clean water system for  the Temuan community of Kampung Orang Asal Air Kuning that located in Shah Alam in February 2018. This phase  focused on the installation of a piping system and tanks throughout the village grounds. Through this project, they provided education on water safety and address health issues related to water to the residents. Besides that, they are also provided informal and systematic education on safe drinking water. This project will be continue for the Phase II in this April 2018. [https://ecoknights.org.my/news/latest-news/551-project-h2o-air-kuning-phase-1-was-a-success]

Ainul Fatihah Binti Mohamed Zaki 126116
Losing prime forest area for the purposes of Forest Plantation Projects
Losing prime forest area for the purposes of Forest Plantation Projects
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is a non-profit national organisation established in 1977. SAM is involved in a variety of activities and campaigns to ensure that environmental justice is linked to social justice and that development choices and the management of natural resources are sustainable and ecologically-sound. 

SAM reflects the position that justice, transparency and accountability are crucial elements in the sustainable management of our forests. They also ensure that the various weaknesses found within state, national and international policies and laws on forests and land are constantly improved.

Therefore, SAM strongly denies the  logging activities for the purpose of a forest plantation project (known as monoculture cultivation in the Permanent Forest) at part of the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik, Kedah happening recently.  

This is because because most of the harvested logs were of prime size and that logging had led to soil erosion and the pollution of watercourses which originate from Bukit Enggang. Plus, the destruction of watercourses and has affected the ecosystem and the water resources of nearby settlements. SAM  also warned that establishing monoculture forest estates next to the permanent forest reserve would have a negative impact on biodiversity.

Gaythiri a/p Seenee
126999
Its time to preserve natural heritage of Merapoh forest
Its time to preserve natural heritage of Merapoh forest


Logging activities in Merapoh forest at Batu Yon would cause  permanent loss of the country’s natural heritage which has high tourism potential. Moreover, they also found gold and sand-mining activities at nearby areas which were done without valid license and approval from the Department of Environment (DoE). They are concerned that before any agricultural activity was carried out, all natural resources in the area would be exploited via mining and logging until there were no trees left. Merapoh forest is a main source of clean water for the villagers and rich in flora and fauna. There are elephants, tapir, tigers, bears, deers and mountain goats can be seen in Merapoh forest. Besides that, it is also a habitat for a species of 'Bunga Padma Tikus' or its scientific name Rhizanthes loweii (Beccari) Harms, which is the smallest Raflessia family in the world. The logging and mining activities would also jeopardise the villager’s income, who worked as tour guides for visitors in the area for its ecotourism activities. 

The Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) and Save Merapoh Caves (SMC) urge the Pahang state authorities to gazette the area and any remaining government land in Merapoh as protected areas, especially as Permanent Forest Reserve and gazette Merapoh forest area as a sensitive natural environment. 

Furthermore, Peka Malaysia and Friends of the Earth Malaysia (SAM) urge Department of Environment (DoE) to carry out immediate enforcement on the licensor and contractor who is carrying out logging as it is understood that they did not produce the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to Department of Environment (DoE). 


Law Kai Shuen
126140





Water Watch Penang (WWP)
Water Watch Penang (WWP)
Water Watch Penang (WWP) is a non-profit organisation set up in November 1997 as part of the Sustainable Penang Initiative. WWP was established after concerns over Penang’s water quality and availability, as well as flooding problems.

Working in partnership with Penang Water Supply Corporation and various authorities, WWP’s objectives are to create awareness for water conservation amongst the general public, research on water issues, water education in the schools and the practice of a water saving society towards the sustainable development of water resources.

The major issue is the total water catchment has reduced due to uncontrolled loggings and deforestations. Deforestations can cause serious irreversible consequences on both their immediate environments as well as the downstream environment, often with a cumulative effect; glaring disasters related to deforestation in Malaysia include the collapsed of Highland Towers in 1993, the landslides of the Karak Highway in 1995, and the mudslide in Pos Dipang in 1996. 

Regarding these issues WWP has taken some initiatives in protecting the water catchments in Penang such as writing articles in newspapers, educating people and school children about the importance of water conservation, contributing its expertise in national forums and workshops on water and helping the government draw up plans and programs for water conservation. Examples of its projects are

·        " River Walk – caring for our Rivers campaign"
·        " Clinic for Penangites on the Importance of Looking after Rivers"
·        " Adopt a river project"
·        " Water conservation and educational programs"

Nur Adibah Rozali
(121545)
True or Not: Timber certification claims to make logging eco-friendly.
True or Not: Timber certification claims to make logging eco-friendly.

Nuramalina bt. Ahmad Jasnee 123313

Destructive logging at so-called hutan simpan kekal (permanent forest reserves) are still being carried out, showing that the word kekal (permanent) is rather more temporary when it comes to forests.

Professor Dr Maketab Mohamed, immediate past President of the Malaysian Nature Society, said that the problem with MTCS is that it’s “voluntary” and, so far, applies only to federal-controlled forests in Peninsular Malaysia.

Different forest certification schemes were developed, including the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) as well as the local Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS).

Forest certification is adopted only on a voluntary basis (though forestry authorities do promote it). However, there are still issues of native customary rights (to lands) and aboriginal reserves. It’s hard for MTCS to solve land ownership issues.

Despite being a voluntary process, the timber industry should go for forest certification to ensure that it is sustainable. WWF-Malaysia lauds the Sarawak government’s move in getting the state’s major timber license holders to obtain internationally recognized forest management certification.

E-waste management
E-waste management

Malaysian Environmental NGOs (MENGO) give great response on E-waste management set by the government. However, the government lack of continuity of policies and campaigns. Energy put into encouraging recycling are often reset with the change of minister in charge raising doubt against the management of E-waste. MENGO questioning where in the Malaysia that materials recovery plant receives and sends recyclables for reprocessing and recycling.  The no assuring answer on the availability of an MRF (material recovery facility) result in the residents would rather send recyclables to NGOs. The
recycling management should be more transparent. 

The help from NGOs to hold talk to create awareness in the community is very encouraging. furthermore, the E-waste could harm our health and environment if not treated properly. it is important for e-waste collection centre handling the chemical waste following safety standards.  

Puteri Nadhirah Bt Megat Ahmad Kamil 
126195

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Climate Change and Thailand: impact and Response

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Climate Change and Thailand: impact and Response

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Thailand faced the worst drought in 2010 due to the change in climate  which has not happened in 20 years this resultto the water falling to the lowest level in 50 years. At this point the residents(villagers) living in this area along the mekong river said the river was so dried that they cab actually walk through the river which they have not experienced.

Thailand environmental NGO according to the Thailand's department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the drought negatively affected at least 7.6 million people and 59 of the countries and 76 Province. According to Kuankajorn, Thais who lived in the north, most especially in Chaing Rai, were going to face the biggest issue if the drought continues because they could not fish which is their main source of income and protein.

A Coalition of Regional NGO including the thais NGO charged the chinese dam construction was done at the upper level of the Mekong Basin and causing this unnatural disaster (drought). In this case the chinese government and the international water and some eveiromental experts considered tyhe issue to be the cause of climate change in that area, the climate change was the main factor limiting the amount of rainfall and causing the drought in Mekong River. according to Ian Campbell, a senior, envoromentalist at the MR, "The wet season started late and ended early last year. This is why rivers such as the  Mekong are experiencing low water levels."

Concurrently, officials, NGOs, academics and some private sector leaders, has agreed that Thailand needs to reduce the rate of carbon emission, studying the country's carbon emission with 10% of the global emission comparing it to the economic development in 2007

Franklin Orujekwe
(127235

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Centre for Environment, Technology & Development, Malaysia (Cetdem)

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Centre for Environment, Technology & Development, Malaysia (Cetdem)

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CETDEM founding executive director, Gurmit Singh which a Penang-born environmentalist has delivered a scathing lecture on how his home state needs reform regarding governance, transportation and the environment. He listed Penang’s sustainability “follies”, which ran from land mismanagement, hillslope clearing, repeated coastal reclamation and poor urban redevelopment.

He gave an overview of “the march” of problems in Penang over the decades:

1950s — digging away of tram lines.

1960s — massive sewerage spill into Sungai Juru on the mainland.

1970s — the stoppage of local elections, the boom in electronic factories, and cable car mooted for Penang Hill.
1980s — coastal reclamation, rising number of cars and bikes.

1990s — high-rises and slope developments increase.

2000s — change in state government, blame game starts.

2010s — going green talk as flood and land-related problems rise.

Nurul Ain Binti Mustafa
126181

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1. Gerakan Rakyat Hentikan Pencemaran Bauksit (Geram)  in Malaysia is petitioning its government to release a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the mining of bauxite ore, citing the length of the ongoing ban on the activity as evidence that the government does not take the problem of pollution seriously. The delay in announcing the SOP would reflect the lack of seriousness by the government to resolve the problem or find a solution to bauxite-mining. The government should have invited all non-governmental organisations (NGO), stakeholders, experts and others involved in bauxite-mining to discuss the best option, find a solution or seek their views.
2.  A group of over 20 NGOs have formed a coalition to lobby against rampant bauxite mining in the state. The initiative, lead by Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, consisted of civil and environmental groups such as the Pahang Bar Committee, Malaysian Nature Society, and Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka). Several groups like Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Himpunan Hijau, had been active in protesting against other mining issues like Lynas and the Raub goldmine controversy. The coalition aimed to engage the public and create awareness on the impact of bauxite pollution while directing the sentiment towards a more productive approach. It also planned to file a petition in Parliament, through the two MPs, to call for a stop to bauxite exportation until proper mining regulations are implemented.

YEW KER MING
126210

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Coalition of NGO in Malaysia in raising awareness about issues happening in Pantai Segari Perak where it is losing their function as turtle nesting area due to human activities done there and heavy pollution that affect the turtle landing. Some of NGO involved are KUASA, SAM, Greenpeace, GRASS and MPS

Issues raised by Rakan Segari :

1. Sand dredging activities occur in Environmental Sensitive area level 1 (KSAS1) where no activities should be done in the area except for low impact eco-tourism and research. When this activities happened, number of turtle landing in the area become lesser.

2. Create awareness about beach cleanliness at Pantai Teluk Senangin which is a popular spot for recreation activities. They found that some irresponsible visitor left their trash at the beach and polluting the beach. The trash might end up in the ocean and cause harm to aquatic organism.

3. They also conduct beach clean up to create cleaner beach environment.

4. Encouraging people to visit the turtle sanctuary there to understand why it is important to care for environment and also saving the turtle.

5. Create awareness about logging activities occur in Segari forest reserve.

6. Organising Hari Bumi Segari in April 2017 involving many parties to show issues and problems happening in the area.

Muhamad Fahmi Bin Isa
126157

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SEGARI - Gabungan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Rakan Segari memohon pihak berkuasa kerajaan negeri supaya mewartakan kawasan seluas 200 hektar bermula dari kawasan Pusat Konservasi Penyu hingga Tanjung Hantu, Teluk Senangin sebagai kawasan yang harus dilindungi dan tidak boleh diganggu.

Wakil Rakan Segari, Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman berkata, kawasan berkenaan yang meliputi kawasan hutan lipur, tempat penyu mendarat, kawasan pantai dan pulau kecil masih lagi tidak diusik untuk tujuan pembangunan.

Menurutnya, pada tahun lepas pihaknya telah menghantar memorandum ketetapan bagi memohon kawasan itu menjadi tempat yang dilindungi kepada Exco Kerajaan Negeri dan Pegawai Daerah Manjung.

"Kita mohon agar kawasan sepanjang pantai Pasir Panjang ini meliputi hutan lipur, tempat pendaratan penyu hinggalah ke Teluk Senangin supaya terus dilindungi dan tidak boleh diusik untuk tujuan pembangunan komersial.

"Tempat ini harus dilindungi sebagai contoh, hutan lipur Pasir Panjang yang mempunyai pelbagai spesis pokok-pokok yang jarang dan sukar untuk dijumpai di tempat lain," katanya yang juga Pegawai Penyelidik Lapangan Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Sam).

Dia ditemui ketika program Hari Bumi Rakan Segari di hutan lipur Pasir Panjang di sini hari ini.

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Wartakan kawasan penyu tidak boleh diganggu

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SEGARI - Gabungan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Rakan Segari memohon pihak berkuasa kerajaan negeri supaya mewartakan kawasan seluas 200 hektar bermula dari kawasan Pusat Konservasi Penyu hingga Tanjung Hantu, Teluk Senangin sebagai kawasan yang harus dilindungi dan tidak boleh diganggu.

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Environmental based NGOs strongly against reclamation project off the southwestern coast of Penang and other areas. 

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Environmental based NGOs strongly against reclamation project off the southwestern coast of Penang and other areas. 

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Environmental-based non-governmental organisations (NGO) are adamant that the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project should not be implemented in Penang.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said it was never in favour of the proposed 1,821ha reclamation project near Permatang Damar Laut. They claimed the reclamation project would indeed have negative effect on the environment, and also affect the livelihood of the fishing communities near the project site.

SAM stressed that the project would indeed have negative effect on the environment and also the fishing communities near the project site. Referring to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, it concurred that there would be an impact on the ocean food chain and the fishing industry due to total loss of mudflats.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Penang echoed the same sentiment, stressed that there was no need for the reclamation to fund the state government's highly-ambitious multi-billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). MNS said Penang government should look into cheaper alternatives for the proposed railway system for the PTMP.

Moreover, marine water pollution and ever decreasing fishing zones due to reclamation at the coastal area have caused dwindling fisheries resources and so catches by fishermen have deteriorated to 70 per cent of the fishermen daily income.

Nurul Amira binti Zulkefli
126183

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Fishermen, NGO warn of costlier fish due to Penang reclamation

Thursday October 5, 2017
02:39 PM GMT+8

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 5 - Ongoing and upcoming land reclamation projects in Penang are threatening the catches of over 4,000 coastal fishermen, some of whom said this could lead to more expensive seafood and fewer varieties.

One fisherman claimed the reclamation project off Batu Uban near Queensbay Mall has cut his income by more than half.

"We used to be able to get good hauls and net schools of fishes such as white pomfret here, but now, we can barely get anything," said Mohd Maidin Abd Hamid.

The 63-year-old who has been a coastal fisherman for over 35 years said once earned around RM1,600 monthly, but said this has not been the case since the reclamation.

"Now, I can barely get RM600 each month," he said.

He also claimed the land reclamation works did not adhere to proper safety precautions such as illuminating the buoys, claiming to have hit one in the darkness.

He also claimed his boat and nets had been entangled with the buoy, forcing him to call the naval patrol for help.

"I had to cut loose my fishing nets, all 10 of it and the nets were left there," he said in a press conference with Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) today.

He estimated his losses to be RM2,500 from the incident, not including his loss of income since he lost his nets.

SAM research officer S. Mageswari said land reclamation not only hurt fishermen's livelihood, but also consumers.

"With fewer fishes locally, this means prices of fishes will go up and it will become very expensive for consumers to eat fish," she said.

She said SAM has consistently against land reclamation projects that damage the environment.

"We don't only protest against such projects in Penang, we also protested against the land reclamation works in Kedah," she said.

She also said the proposed Penang South Reclamation at the southern coast of Penang Island will cause even worse environmental damage and affect all fishermen in the area.

"Marine water pollution and ever decreasing fishing zones due to reclamation at the coastal area have caused dwindling fisheries resources and so catches by fishermen have deteriorated to 70 per cent of their daily income," she added.

SAM called on the state government to immediately cancel its proposed reclamation projects in the state to protect the environment and the fishermen's livelihood.

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Fishermen, NGO warn of costlier fish due to Penang reclamation

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Fishermen, NGO warn of costlier fish due to Penang reclamation Thursday October 5, 201702:39 PM GMT+8 GEORGE TOWN, Oct 5 - Ongoing and upcoming land reclamation projects in Penang are threatening the catches of over 4,000 coastal fishermen, some of whom said this could lead to more expensive seafood and fewer varieties.

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Sungai Penchala (Recreationally Used) - River Education Programme

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Sungai Penchala (Recreationally Used) - River Education Programme

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Global Environmental Centre (River Care Program)

The Global Environment Centre (GEC) was established in 1998 to work on environmental issues of global importance. GEC is registered in Malaysia as a non-profit organisation (Reg. no. 473058-T) but works regionally and internationally both directly and through many partners. It supports information exchange and capacity building as well as undertakes strategic projects particularly in developing countries. GEC has rife knowledge and experience in rivers, mangroves, peat swamps and hill forest rehabilitation. They focus on ecological approach encourage ecosystem recovery and community involvement/development to create long-term sustainability. GEC relies its funding mainly on donations from many organisations and individuals such as the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA), the United Nations Environmental Programme, and the European Union.

Objectives of the River Care Programme are:
• Protect, conserve and promote living rivers and their biodiversity
• Promote restoration and rehabilitation of river and other water bodies.
• Raise awareness and educate all stakeholders about river care
• Promote civic consciousness and local action through river monitoring and mapping
• Support capacity building and networking of individuals, communities and organisations in river management

Sungai Penchala begins as a small trickle of water at the top of the Bukit Kiara Hill located near Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI). Sungai Penchala is special because it crosses a state boundary (i.e. the river begins in Kuala Lumpur but most of the river is in Petaling Jaya, Selangor where it meets Sungai Klang in the Bandar Sunway area).

Sungai Penchala has a river basin area of 14km²  and it runs for 12km long from upstream source before flowing in Sungai Klang. It is mainly used for recreational uses.

The upstream of Sungai Penchala flows through the beautiful Lembah Kiara Park where it eventually turns into a canal lined with terracotta bricks. Unfortunately the artificial canal deprives the stream of its natural filtering function. The river continues flowing into the highly populated urbanised TTDI township where the stream is deepened, widened, and turned into a concrete channel.

Pollution starts here with residential drainage network feeding it with domestic waste water and leaking sewage. The pollution increases when the river enters the Petaling Jaya district where it flows through many residential and industrial areas. The quality of the river steadily deteriorates as it meanders further downstream, and worse, it begins to look like an open sewer.

GEC worked together with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Selangor, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Kuala Lumpur, the National Landscape Department, Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), and Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS) where they were targetting the local communities in Penchala River Basin, educational institution and business community in the area to protect and enhance Sg Penchala, urban river through local community engagement. In addition, the programme aims to promote and support local community, school, bussiness and other stakeholders' localised initiatives, as well as outreaching larger target groups through Mobile River Care Unit - a mobile river care education programme.

First, GEC formed a technical committee called WATER Project Technical Committee to oversee the project progress. They then conducted business community programme (e.g. TOT for Food Operators and training on waste segregation and waste audit) for targeted food courts within Penchala River Basin to prevent food waste pollution. The next step was to train seven local communities living within Penchala River Basin on river management where they will be acting as the "eyes and ears" of the river. Five educational institutions also participated in Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on river management. The project also trained a group of kindergarten teachers on river and waste management. An environmental ToT camp for youth involving 65 youth was held to instill environmental awareness particularly on river. The project is also working closely with Yayasan Chow Kit to outreach and educate youngsters on river care activities. Next, GEC has conducted 8 outreach activities using Mobile River Care Unit and established a River Care Education Centre at upstream of Sungai Penchala at Bukit Kiara. Lastly, they conclude with the establishent of Sungai Penchala Information Centre and Sungai Penchala Open Classroom to engage public on environmental awareness. This entire project was undergoing from 2015  to 2017 and was funded by Spark Foundation.

NG YANG QING
(131303)

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Wetlands International (WI) are the organisation established in 1996 for the conservation and restoration of wetlands globally. WI vision is a world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for their beauty, the life they support and the resources they provide. They promote the importance of wetland and inform about the loss and threat to wetlands and their biodiversity continuesly. Wetlands are the source of water that crucial to supports all forms of life.They are rich in nature and vital to human life. They act as water sources and purifiers. They protect our shores. They are the planet’s greatest natural carbon stores. They are crucial to agriculture and fisheries.

"A world without wetlands is a world without water."- Wetlands International
Nurulhuda binti Suhaime (126190)

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Wetlands occur wherever water meets land. These unique habitats include mangroves, peatlands and marshes, rivers and lakes, deltas, floodplains and flooded forests, rice-fields, and even coral reefs. Healthy wetlands are central to solving the interconnected climate, biodiversity, and water crises.

Wetlands International is a global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands. Our vision is a world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for their beauty, the life they support and the resources they provide.

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We are dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands. Our vision is a world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for their beauty, the life they support, and the resources they provide.

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Garbage galore on our beaches and 15 clean-ups

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Garbage galore on our beaches and 15 clean-ups

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Over 500 people in 15 locations around Malaysia took part beach clean-ups. But it was not just to clear the scenic seasides of trash, it was also to collect data on the sheer scale of the marine debris problem.

Led by Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), volunteers included dive operations, resorts, community members, school kids, NGOs, government agencies, the private sector and tourists.

Marine debris have been problems that are attracting attention around the world, as the plastic is getting into the food chain. The efforts made by RCM was intended as a first step to raise awareness and bring attention to the problem and thus start to find real, practical solutions, rather than just keep repeating the clean-ups.

Locations in the clean-ups included the islands of Sibu (Johor), Tioman (Pahang), Perhentian (Terengganu), Pangkor Laut (Perak) plus four islands in Sabah, namely Gaya, Mantanani, Lankayan and Mabul. Clean-ups were also done on the mainland at Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Tanjong Jara, Terengganu.

RCM said they are ready to meet with the relevant government departments, including the National Solid Waste Management Department, the big food and drink companies, as well as the industry body Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association to discuss and to find the technologies to deal with the plastics, economic incentives to make it more likely that people will recycle.

Wan Taniah Binti Md Isa
126205

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On March 3, over 500 people in 15 locations around Malaysia took part beach clean-ups. But it wasn't just to clear the scenic seasides of trash, it was also to collect data on the sheer scale of our marine debris problem.

Led by Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), participants included dive operators, resorts, community members, school kids, NGOs, government agencies, the private sector and tourists.

"Marine debris is a problem that is attracting attention around the world, as we realise that plastic is getting into the food chain," said Julian Hyde, RCM general manager.

"So this effort was intended as a first step in raising awareness, to bring attention to the problem - and start to find real, practical solutions, rather than just keep repeating the clean-ups."

The clean-ups were the first in a series of events that will celebrate International Year of the Reef 2018. Data collected will be analysed over the next weeks and published later in March.

But the preliminary data is ominous: volunteers collected over two tonnes of trash, including nearly 14,000 plastic bottles, 6,200 plastic bags and 1,700 straws.

On Pulau Tioman, it was the first time the entire island came together to show their support and participate in the beach clean-ups. The many different groups worked effortlessly and collected a huge amount of trash in just a few hours.

Alvin Chelliah, Programme Manager of RCM's Tioman community programme said: "It was great to see dive operators, resorts, local community, government departments and NGO's getting together for this effort. It was the first time clean-ups were done simultaneously in every village around Tioman."

Some corporate partners lead their own teams to conduct clean-ups. Lim Jit Cheng from KPMG Malaysia, a long time supporter of RCM, said: "It is shocking to see how much trash you can find on a beach that looked pretty clean to start with."

Monica Chin from Trash Hero Borneo, who led one of the clean-ups in Sabah, said, "It is very sad to see trash everywhere in our beautiful Borneo. Some people just don't care at all. I strongly believe that if we put all our hands together, we can easily solve the problem of trash."

"We are the ones who create trash, only we can reduce it, keep it under control and stop it for good. The key here is to care about our impacts to the environment! We clean, we educate, we change. Together we can make a difference!"

Hyde said that he had been surprised by the response, "It was amazing. We tried to keep this small because we had no budget, but it just kept growing as more people asked to join in.

"From four participants we ended up doing clean-ups at 16 locations. We have to say a huge thank you to all partners, who gave their time and effort for free."

Locations in the clean-ups included the islands of Sibu (Johor), Tioman (Pahang), Perhentian (Terengganu), Pangkor Laut (Perak) plus four islands in Sabah, namely Gaya, Mantanani, Lankayan and Mabul. Clean-ups were also done on the mainland at Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Tanjong Jara, Terengganu.

The next step is to encourage all parties involved to get together and start looking for solutions.

Hyde said, "We need to meet with the relevant government departments, including the National Solid Waste Management Department. We need the big food and drink companies, as well as the industry body Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association.

He added, "We need to find technologies to deal with the plastic, economic incentives to make it more likely that people will recycle, we need better recycling logistics - the whole thing has to change."

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15 Malaysian Beach Clean-ups In A Day Is Just A Drop In The Ocean | Star2.com

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On March 3, over 500 people in 15 locations around Malaysia took part beach clean-ups. But it wasn't just to clear the scenic seasides of trash, it was also to collect data on the sheer scale of our marine debris problem.

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Conserving mangroves of Kota Kinabalu(KK), Sabah

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Conserving mangroves of Kota Kinabalu(KK), Sabah

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In 1996, the mangrove was barely grounded. Over the years, continuous massive rehabilitation efforts by the early staffs of Sabah Wildlife Department WWF-Malaysia, Likas Wetlands Sanctuary Management Committee and later Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, together with volunteers from all ages were a success. The swamp is now covered with various species of mangrove plants is an evidence of the successful conservation efforts. Despites of the challenges especially in protecting KK Wetlands from the imminent threat of developments which are cropping at the borders. KK Wetlands is now successfully registered as a Ramsar site, which is the second in Sabah and the seventh in Malaysia.

[9 October 2009]
Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) embarks on a new partnership with Japanese real estate company, Mullion Co. Inc. to restore degraded mangrove areas around Sabah. The main objectives under this project are to replant a total of 25,000 mangrove seedlings within 5 years, while raising awareness on the importance of mangrove conservation and management for the local community and the general public.

Ramendhirran A/L Govindasamy
126196

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"CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE" Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Open Day (FEE - FREE DAY) Quickly rally your friends and family to celebrate this World Environment Day 2017 at Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, Likas. Get a chance to reconnect and explore with nature - the more the merrier!

In conjunction of World Wetlands Day 2016, Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) is organising the annual World Wetlands Day 2016, which will be held on 27 February 2016, 7.30am - 2.30pm, at Kota Kinabalu Wetlands. This environmental event aims to raise awareness on the importance of wetlands for our future, whilst promoting a healthy lifestyle by organising the 2KM Walk-N-Plant-A-Thon (walk-a-thon) into the mangrove forest. Among the activities that will be held are; 1. World Wetlands Day Launching Ceremony 2. Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Open Day (public) 3. Mangrove Challenge (students) 4. A book launching of "A Guide to the Plants of Kota Kinabalu Wetlands" 5. Registration for KK Wetlands Voluntary ... Continue reading Celebration of World Wetlands Day 2016 by Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society

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Welcome to Kota Kinabalu Wetland - Ramsar Site in the City

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"CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE" Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Open Day (FEE - FREE DAY) Quickly rally your friends and family to celebrate this World Environment Day 2017 at Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, Likas. Get a chance to reconnect and explore with nature - the more the merrier!

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MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY (MNS)

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is the oldest NGO in Malaysia which was incepted in 1940. The objectives of MNS are to promote the study, appreciation, conservation and protection of Malaysia’s natural heritage focusing on the sustainable development and biological diversity. Although it has various activities related to the environment, water conservation is one of its concerns. Amongst its many activities related to water is a water forum in 2000 which focused on raising awareness among local communities, targeting resident associations and other grass root organizations.

Major issue:
MNS’ Sepang Environmental Interpretive Centre, the 10km-long Jalan Besar Salak (B48) will be upgraded in stages starting from the junction at Simpang Tiga Jenderam up to Pekan Sepang Lama.

The project by Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) will widen the single-lane road to four-lane dual carriageway.

MNS received a notice that trees will be chopped down from March 19 onwards. The mangroves to be destroyed play a significant role in the ecosystem as it provides habitat to various species of flora and fauna.

Also to be destroyed as part of the project is Sepang’s District Office Administrative Centre which was built in 1892 and today serves as MNS’s Environmental Interpretive Centre.  Environmental Interpretive Centre (EIC) which is dominated by landscape of mangroves and rivers acts as a sanctuary to many species of flora and fauna such as the endangered smooth otter, which has been adopted by the EIC as its logo. EIC was established on 9th April 2009 and trained its focus on the conservation of mangroves and the Sepang rivers

Nor Syahirah bt Kamarulzaman (126171)

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MALAYSIAN Nature Society (MNS) is worried about the effects from a road upgrading project cutting through the mangrove forest in Sepang.

According to the staff at MNS' Sepang Environmental Interpretive Centre, the 10km-long Jalan Besar Salak (B48) will be upgraded in stages starting from the junction at Simpang Tiga Jenderam up to Pekan Sepang Lama.

The project by Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) will widen the single-lane road to four-lane dual carriageway.

Residents have been complaining about heavy congestion anytime in the day.

Sepang Municipal councillor Henry Thong said it would take about 15 minutes to travel 9km in normal traffic flow but that would take more than double the time at peak hours or when there were numerous heavy vehicles on the road.

"We received a notice that trees will be chopped down from March 19 onwards," said MNS executive director Shanmugaraj Subramaniam (pic below).

He said about 70 trees would be felled.

He noted that the road works would affect the upstream of Sungai Sepang, which was deemed the most sensitive part of a waterway as seeds from mature trees were carried by the river to vegetate the area downstream.

"Among the tree species here is the crabapple mangrove (sonneratia caseolaris), a critically endangered species crucial to the breeding of fireflies," he explained.

He also pointed out that the mangrove was a filter for water run off from Pekan Sepang, Taman Murni, Desa Indah and the oil palm estates in Bukit Pelanduk and Sepang.

"Without it, sullage, sedimentation and siltation will affect the livelihoods of fishing villages downstream," he added.

Shanmugaraj fears floods may occur in the nearby housing areas once the existing bund and vegetation are removed.

He said an embankment would be built but still had his doubts.

"Have the consultants taken into consideration how high the river water will rise when it rains?

"I was told that a one-channel flow will be built to handle water inflow but is it enough to handle the volume of water coming from the surrounding areas?" he questioned.

The mangrove forest surrounding the interpretive centre is a sanctuary for diverse marine habitat. Otters, monkeys and monitor lizards are often spotted here.

Shanmugaraj said upon receiving notice that the land had been taken up for the project, an appeal was sent to the Selangor Mentri Besar which was then forwarded to Selangor Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong, who urged JKR to observe the limitations of the riverine reserve and preserve its banks.

Wong also suggested that the centre's 105-year-old building be preserved for its historical value.

She also asked JKR to obtain the views of MNS on the environmental impact brought on by the B48 project.

To this, JKR replied that the taking over of the mangrove forest was a necessary move to solve the worsening traffic woes on route B48. However, the department gave assurance that it would take every effort to ensure the current ecosystem was preserved and would replant the trees.

A project consultant spokesman said all efforts concerning the ecological aspects of this project had been optimised.

Meanwhile, Selangor Infrastructure and Public Facilities Committee chairman Zaidy Abdul Talib said last month that felled trees would be replanted in an area of 2,259sq m.

Zaidy asked for the public's understanding and patience as the project was a necessary step for economic progress.

Roadworks are expected to begin on Monday

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Mangrove forest to make way for road upgrade - Metro News | The Star Online

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MALAYSIAN Nature Society (MNS) is worried about the effects from a road upgrading project cutting through the mangrove forest in Sepang. According to the staff at MNS' Sepang Environmental Interpretive Centre, the 10km-long Jalan Besar Salak (B48) will be upgraded in stages starting from the junction at Simpang Tiga Jenderam up to Pekan Sepang Lama.

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EcoKnights is the non-profit organisation that established in 2005, which is mainly focus on providing and delivering development and environmental interventions to communities, government agencies, learning institutes and companies. Their daily operations and efforts are based on 4 main pillars, supported by creativity and communications:

- Outreach: They build bridges and reduce development gaps to deliver important interventions to communities who need them. This is for raising awareness and build the capacity of Malaysians to address environmental issues by taking action.

- Education: They delivers environmental educational interventions through formal and informal approach and also conducts scientific research and studies to advance the collection and dissemination of information to Malaysians. They aimed to deliver quality environmental educational programs and provide scientific evidence and information to Malaysians.

- Eco-nomy: They create and own platforms that promote a sustainable local and global economy through green entrepreneurship and sustainable lifestyles to guarantee a sustainable future.

- Recruitment and Partnership: They mobilizes and influences important stakeholders to adopt sustainable lifestyles through smart partnerships and a membership program. They aimed to inspire and influence more Malaysians to take positive actions for the planet by adopting a greener lifestyle.

Among of the efforts that they are involved, is:

- Project H2O Air Kuning (Phase I)

This project was a collaboration between EcoKnights, AVEDA and Build For Tomorrow that worked on the clean water system for  the Temuan community of Kampung Orang Asal Air Kuning that located in Shah Alam in February 2018. This phase  focused on the installation of a piping system and tanks throughout the village grounds. Through this project, they provided education on water safety and address health issues related to water to the residents. Besides that, they are also provided informal and systematic education on safe drinking water. This project will be continue for the Phase II in this April 2018. [https://ecoknights.org.my/news/latest-news/551-project-h2o-air-kuning-phase-1-was-a-success]

Ainul Fatihah Binti Mohamed Zaki 126116

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Established since 2005, EcoKnights® is a registered not-for-profit environmental organization. The organization provides and delivers development and environmental interventions to communities, government agencies, learning institutes and companies.

Through smart partnerships and collaborations, EcoKnights® works across transdisciplinary fields to build bridges towards achieving sustainable development for communities and companies.

Pillars

EcoKnights' daily operations and efforts are based on four main pillars, supported by Creatives and Communications.

Outreach is the soul of EcoKnights. We build bridges and reduce development gaps to deliver important interventions to communities who need them.

Goal: To raise awareness and build the capacity of Malaysians to address environmental issues by taking action.

Through informal and formal channels, EcoKnights delivers environmental educational interventions, and also conducts scientific research and studies to advance the collection and dissemination of information to Malaysians.

Goal: To deliver quality environmental educational programs and provide scientific evidence and information to Malaysians from all walks of life.

EcoKnights advocates for a sustainable future by creating and owning platforms that promote a sustainable local and global economy, specifically through green entrepreneurship and sustainable lifestyles.

Goal: To mobilize and inspire local entrepreneurs to adopt Goal 12 of the Sustainable Development Goals (Responsible Consumption and Production)

Recruitement & Partnership

EcoKnights mobilizes and influences important stakeholders to adopt sustainable lifestyles through smart partnerships and a membership program.

Goal: To inspire and influence more Malaysians to take positive actions for the planet by adopting a greener lifestyle.

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Established since 2005, EcoKnights® is a registered not-for-profit environmental organization. The organization provides and delivers development and environmental interventions to communities, government agencies, learning institutes and companies. Through smart partnerships and collaborations, EcoKnights® works across transdisciplinary fields to build bridges towards achieving sustainable development for communities and companies.

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Losing prime forest area for the purposes of Forest Plantation Projects

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Losing prime forest area for the purposes of Forest Plantation Projects

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is a non-profit national organisation established in 1977. SAM is involved in a variety of activities and campaigns to ensure that environmental justice is linked to social justice and that development choices and the management of natural resources are sustainable and ecologically-sound.

SAM reflects the position that justice, transparency and accountability are crucial elements in the sustainable management of our forests. They also ensure that the various weaknesses found within state, national and international policies and laws on forests and land are constantly improved.

Therefore, SAM strongly denies the  logging activities for the purpose of a forest plantation project (known as monoculture cultivation in the Permanent Forest) at part of the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik, Kedah happening recently.

This is because because most of the harvested logs were of prime size and that logging had led to soil erosion and the pollution of watercourses which originate from Bukit Enggang. Plus, the destruction of watercourses and has affected the ecosystem and the water resources of nearby settlements. SAM  also warned that establishing monoculture forest estates next to the permanent forest reserve would have a negative impact on biodiversity.

Gaythiri a/p Seenee
126999

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logging contaminated water mohd tajudin abdullah

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Losing prime forest area - Metro News | The Star Online

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TURNING part of the forest of Bukit Enggang in Sik, Kedah, into a forest plantation is unacceptable because most of the harvested logs were of prime size, said Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).

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Its time to preserve natural heritage of Merapoh forest

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Its time to preserve natural heritage of Merapoh forest

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Logging activities in Merapoh forest at Batu Yon would cause  permanent loss of the country’s natural heritage which has high tourism potential. Moreover, they also found gold and sand-mining activities at nearby areas which were done without valid license and approval from the Department of Environment (DoE). They are concerned that before any agricultural activity was carried out, all natural resources in the area would be exploited via mining and logging until there were no trees left. Merapoh forest is a main source of clean water for the villagers and rich in flora and fauna. There are elephants, tapir, tigers, bears, deers and mountain goats can be seen in Merapoh forest. Besides that, it is also a habitat for a species of 'Bunga Padma Tikus' or its scientific name Rhizanthes loweii (Beccari) Harms, which is the smallest Raflessia family in the world. The logging and mining activities would also jeopardise the villager’s income, who worked as tour guides for visitors in the area for its ecotourism activities.

The Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) and Save Merapoh Caves (SMC) urge the Pahang state authorities to gazette the area and any remaining government land in Merapoh as protected areas, especially as Permanent Forest Reserve and gazette Merapoh forest area as a sensitive natural environment.

Furthermore, Peka Malaysia and Friends of the Earth Malaysia (SAM) urge Department of Environment (DoE) to carry out immediate enforcement on the licensor and contractor who is carrying out logging as it is understood that they did not produce the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to Department of Environment (DoE).

Law Kai Shuen
126140

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Water Watch Penang (WWP) is a non-profit organisation set up in November 1997 as part of the Sustainable Penang Initiative. WWP was established after concerns over Penang’s water quality and availability, as well as flooding problems.

Working in partnership with Penang Water Supply Corporation and various authorities, WWP’s objectives are to create awareness for water conservation amongst the general public, research on water issues, water education in the schools and the practice of a water saving society towards the sustainable development of water resources.

The major issue is the total water catchment has reduced due to uncontrolled loggings and deforestations. Deforestations can cause serious irreversible consequences on both their immediate environments as well as the downstream environment, often with a cumulative effect; glaring disasters related to deforestation in Malaysia include the collapsed of Highland Towers in 1993, the landslides of the Karak Highway in 1995, and the mudslide in Pos Dipang in 1996.

Regarding these issues WWP has taken some initiatives in protecting the water catchments in Penang such as writing articles in newspapers, educating people and school children about the importance of water conservation, contributing its expertise in national forums and workshops on water and helping the government draw up plans and programs for water conservation. Examples of its projects are

·        " River Walk – caring for our Rivers campaign"

·        " Clinic for Penangites on the Importance of Looking after Rivers"

·        " Adopt a river project"

·        " Water conservation and educational programs"

Nur Adibah Rozali
(121545)

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True or Not: Timber certification claims to make logging eco-friendly.

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True or Not: Timber certification claims to make logging eco-friendly.

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Nuramalina bt. Ahmad Jasnee 123313

Destructive logging at so-called hutan simpan kekal (permanent forest reserves) are still being carried out, showing that the word kekal (permanent) is rather more temporary when it comes to forests.

Professor Dr Maketab Mohamed, immediate past President of the Malaysian Nature Society, said that the problem with MTCS is that it’s “voluntary” and, so far, applies only to federal-controlled forests in Peninsular Malaysia.

Different forest certification schemes were developed, including the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) as well as the local Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS).

Forest certification is adopted only on a voluntary basis (though forestry authorities do promote it). However, there are still issues of native customary rights (to lands) and aboriginal reserves. It’s hard for MTCS to solve land ownership issues.

Despite being a voluntary process, the timber industry should go for forest certification to ensure that it is sustainable. WWF-Malaysia lauds the Sarawak government’s move in getting the state’s major timber license holders to obtain internationally recognized forest management certification.

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It is the late 1980s and images of Penan tribes blockading logging roads in Sarawak have gone round the world. In the West, there are calls to boycott tropical timber for the harm it does to the forests and native peoples, especially after the landmark Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

One response was to have "forest certification", so that logging could, in theory, be more eco-friendly and indigenous people would be consulted about logging, so that they could also benefit from it.

The idea was that "sustainably managed" forests would uphold certain environmental and social standards through a mechanism to monitor, trace and label timber and wood products, said Dr Adrian Choo, Responsible Forestry Manager with WWF-Malaysia.

In exchange, countries in the West would keep importing tropical timber, and even pay higher prices for this eco-friendly wood.

Different forest certification schemes were developed, including the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) as well as the local Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS - see story on A timber trip).

So basically, there are both global and local rules so that logging does minimal damage to the environment. Which system should be adopted? And do they work in real life?

Professor Dr Maketab Mohamed, immediate past President of the Malaysian Nature Society, said that the problem with MTCS is that it's "voluntary" and, so far, applies only to federal-controlled forests in Peninsular Malaysia.

"But state lands are a different matter," he added wryly.

This may explain why there have been so many reports in the media against logging by kampung folks and the orang asli, as often highlighted by NGOs such as PEKA (the Organisation to Protect Malaysia's Natural Heritage) and COAC (Centre for Orang Asli Concerns).

"Destructive logging at so-called hutan simpan kekal (permanent forest reserves) are still being carried out, showing that the word kekal (permanent) is rather more temporary when it comes to forests," said Maketab.

"What happens is that the forests are simply stripped of their 'protection' by a stroke of the pen (officially called "degazettement") and clear (total) cutting is then carried out. Then the area is converted into oil palm plantations."

Choo explained that in Malaysia, forest certification is adopted only on a voluntary basis (though forestry authorities do promote it). "However, there are still issues of native customary rights (to lands) and aboriginal reserves. It's hard for MTCS to solve land ownership issues."

Choo noted that Malaysia had the highest rate of deforestation from 2000-2012.

MTCS is run by the Malaysian Timber Certification Council or MTCC. Its 2016 Annual Report noted that only 28% of Permanent Reserve Forests in Malaysia are certified under MTCS, which means that the majority (72%) of forest reserves are not covered.

For the areas that are covered by MTCS, the standards look good on paper. But are they really followed in the field? Do loggers take shortcuts when enforcement officers are not looking, or as they say, "looking the other way"?

Choo said that those who are certified do follow "most of the standards in the field". But even then, some do not, which is why the MTCS certificates for the states of Johor and Kelantan were suspended in 2016.

Shortcuts in standards?

For Dr Colin Nicholas, coordinator for COAC, the standards themselves are questionable. "MTCC began in the 1990s because of the bad reputation of tropical timber. The timber blockades by the Sarawak natives were affecting Malaysia's image," he recalled.

He recalled that when it was formed, MTCC was mainly funded and controlled by the government.

"Back then, the MTCC office was in the Gerakan (political party) building (in Cheras, KL). Don't forget that the Minister in charge of logging (under "Primary Industries") at that time was Lim Keng Yaik, who was also President of Gerakan. It was only after we and others made noise that the office was moved elsewhere."

Part of the MTCS rules is that the indigenous people of the forest are supposed to be consulted about logging in their area. "But take the logging in Kelantan. The MTCS auditor went to an area and randomly asked some orang asli he saw about the protests in that state against logging. It so happens, these people had not heard about it," he recalled.

"So the official report was that there was 'no objection' against logging. But how can they say that when there were protests and even a court case against the logging?"

A key issue is indigenous ownership of land. In Sarawak, this is called "native customary rights" or NCR land, something which was recognised in colonial times by the Brooke White Rajahs. "In a MTCS meeting in KL years ago, NCR land was discussed and recognised," Nicholas recalled. "But later, when we saw the official minutes of the meeting, all mention of NCR land was gone."

Another issue is how the system is applied. Nicholas explained that, under proper forest certification, there are many rules about replanting and selective logging that should apply to one forest reserve, say of a size of 1,000 hectares.

"But under MTCS, the problem is that the whole state is identified as one 'Forest Management Unit' or FMU," he explained.

This allows cherry picking on the rules, for example if some replanting or help to orang asli is given in, say, three or four places in a big state, the claim can be made that standards have been complied within the whole state, even though logging in other parts of the state may be less than sustainable.

Nicholas recalled that indigenous people's representatives used to be part of the MTCS meetings in its earlier days. "The officials would go on and on at the meetings, but indigenous groups were not given much time to talk and rebutt what had been said. Yet our attendance at the meetings was taken as consent and participation."

So, that is why Nicholas and others decided to withdraw from the meetings.

In short, even though our timber is "certified", all this may amount to a whitewash, or rather greenwash, of it being "sustainable".

MTCS is part of the global PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) system. Environmental group Greenpeace considers PEFC and MTCS to be schemes "controlled by and for the forestry industry".

Their "loose rules do not provide any assurance... to halt natural forest conversion, biodiversity loss and the violation of indigenous peoples' rights." In contrast, Greenpeace is a founding member of FSC.

Rather than MTCS, Nicholas instead advocates that Malaysia adopts the global Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards.

"FSC standards are better because grassroots indigenous people are much more involved in the certification," he said. "They say that MTCS is 'FSC compatible', but in reality it's lower than that. Why not just accept FSC which has the best standards?"

Better than nothing

"FSC is the highest standard of forest and timber certification recognised in the world. We have strong mechanisms for dialogue to resolve conflicts with indigenous peoples," said Anthony Sebastian, a Malaysian who is part of FSC's international board of directors.

What about MTCS?

Sebastian replied, "If you say that you are giving your own certificate (for logging), international buyers will say, 'I prefer if somebody outside verifies your certificate.' A national scheme like the MTCS has to get everyone in the world to recognise it. But the world doesn't revolve around Malaysia and the buyers of logs are from outside the country."

Thomas Jalong, Secretary General of the Malaysian Indigenous People's Network (JOAS) said, "There has long been a lack of respect and participation for native peoples when it comes to logging. That's why there have been timber blockades since the 1980s."

"There has been minimal sharing of the benefits of logging to the native communities, we just get the crumbs. Even the logging roads which were built have become so rough, like wildlife tracks."

As for certification, he says. "We welcome any process that respects the wishes of the affected communities."

Musa Salleh, Senior Planning Officer of the Sabah Forestry Department, noted that 650,000 hectares of forests in the state are certified under FSC. "This was possible because there was strong political will to have sustainably managed state forests (but not including private logging concessions)," he explained. "The reason for doing this was to get better market access and prices for Sabah's timber."

FSC itself is not perfect and there are some worrying questions (https://tinyurl.com/star2fsc). Greenpeace also notes that there have been "gaps in the system" for FSC which need to be fixed.

Nevertheless, for Choo, he noted that WWF-Malaysia recognises FSC as the "gold standard" for forest certification. What about MTCS?

"Having country-specific certifications like the MTCS are far better than having no certification at all," he said. "WWF-Malaysia maintains that it is crucial to engage actively with the MTCC to continuously improve the MTCS to be at par with FSC standards. As such, we are a member of the MTCS Standards Review Committee."

Despite being a voluntary process, Choo underlined that the timber industry should go for forest certification to ensure that it is sustainable.

"WWF-Malaysia lauds the Sarawak government's move in getting the state's major timber license holders to obtain internationally recognised forest management certification," he added.

Sebastian said, "As a timber company, the last thing you want (for the long term) is not to have forests to log any more. The best reason for keeping your forests is for continued profits. Certification means that you will always have forests."

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True Or Not: Timber Certification Claims To Make Logging Eco-Friendly | Star2.com

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It is the late 1980s and images of Penan tribes blockading logging roads in Sarawak have gone round the world. In the West, there are calls to boycott tropical timber for the harm it does to the forests and native peoples, especially after the landmark Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

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Malaysian Environmental NGOs (MENGO) give great response on E-waste management set by the government. However, the government lack of continuity of policies and campaigns. Energy put into encouraging recycling are often reset with the change of minister in charge raising doubt against the management of E-waste. MENGO questioning where in the Malaysia that materials recovery plant receives and sends recyclables for reprocessing and recycling.  The no assuring answer on the availability of an MRF (material recovery facility) result in the residents would rather send recyclables to NGOs. The
recycling management should be more transparent.

The help from NGOs to hold talk to create awareness in the community is very encouraging. furthermore, the E-waste could harm our health and environment if not treated properly. it is important for e-waste collection centre handling the chemical waste following safety standards.

Puteri Nadhirah Bt Megat Ahmad Kamil
126195

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WHERE in the country is the material recovery plant that receives and sends recyclables for reprocessing and recycling?

Malaysian Environmental NGOs (Mengo) chairman Yasmin Rasyid has asked the Government this question for years, but has yet to receive an answer.

She was commenting on Star Metro 's story calling for a better e-waste collection and management mechanism to be put in place.

"Although several local councils have implemented mandatory waste separation, the community is generally not confident about how the recyclables are going to be treated, especially e-waste which is highly hazardous.

"Furthermore, without any assuring answers from the Government on the availability of an MRF (material recovery facility), the residents would rather send recyclables to NGOs," she said when met at the community recycling centre occupying part of Mengo's office in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur.

She highlighted that the lack of continuity in policies and campaigns introduced by the Government frustrated the community most.

"Over the years, we see so much of thought and energy put into encouraging recycling but they are often reset with the change of the minister in charge," she added.

However, members of the community can be the change they want to see in better e-waste management, she added.

Yasmin said it would be helpful if they could set up a basic recycling corner for their respective neighbourhoods and send the collected items in bulk to the right locations, adding that information on collection points could be found easily on the Internet.

She advised local groups, such as residents associations, to first seek help from an NGO to hold talks to raise consciousness among stakeholders before deciding on what actions could best mobilise for an "organic, community-driven initiative".

To enable effective collection of recyclables including e-waste, local leaders need to have several boxes ready in a covered place, she said, adding that for e-waste, residents only need to handle them with more care such as wrapping them up to avoid hurting others.

She said the enthusiasm shown by TTDI residents were encouraging.

In January and February when residents did spring cleaning for Chinese New Year, the iCycle Blue Bin in TTDI collected 97.2kg of computer parts, 40.42kg of electronic and electrical items and 1.8kg of dry cell batteries.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)'s Mobile e-Waste Collection Box placed there also collected plenty.

Printers, scanners and CPUs were the most common items disposed.

Yasmin said the residents found the boxes helpful because the MCMC box was locked to prevent thefts while the iCycle system quantified the recyclables.

"We hope the country is more transparent in quantifying the recyclables in order to be really sustainable," she said, urging the Government to support recyclable collectors by cutting the red tape.

"We have seen the rise and fall of many recycling companies in the past, we hope the Government can also legalise the small-time collectors if they are here to make a decent living."

Resident Margaret Lee, 57, visits the community recycling centre frequently as "she has more confidence in the NGO's way of handling the recyclables".

"We want to help our community and country to go green, but where do the recyclables end up? Are they still sent to the landfill? These are unanswered questions," she said.

Taman Melawati resident K.W. Chan, in response to the article, urged the authorities to set up more e-waste collection points in public and to adopt a "proven technical process" to handle e-waste.

"Over the years, I have witnessed unwanted computers and printers dumped by the roads.

"Without much information on collection of such materials, I have been keeping my old computers and handphones in my house," he said.

He shared that the few collection points he managed to find were eventually removed, and he still had difficulty disposing of them safely.

"I am also saddened by reports of e-waste's harm to our health and environment, thus wondering about the safety standards of our e-waste collection centres.

"Are workers provided with personal protection equipment? Are untreated waste chemicals allowed to flow into drains and rivers?

"We, the public, need to be informed on all these," he added.

E-waste collection points - MyCIE's EW (e-Waste), CFL (Compact Florescent Lamp) & FL (Florescent Lamp) Recycling Programme: http//www.mycie.org.my/recycling-programme/

MCMC's Mobile e-Waste: Old Phone, New Life joint recycling programme: http://mobileewaste.mcmc.gov.my/en-us/where-do-we-recycle

iCycle's carbon stores and blue bins: http://www.icycle-global.com/Go%20Rewards.html

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NGO: Be more transparent about recycling management - Metro News | The Star Online

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WHERE in the country is the material recovery plant that receives and sends recyclables for reprocessing and recycling? Malaysian Environmental NGOs (Mengo) chairman Yasmin Rasyid has asked the Government this question for years, but has yet to receive an answer.