27/09/2025

SATURDAY | SEPT 27, 2025

COMMUNITY 7

Mission to champion human-elephant coexistence o Guidelines adopted to equip community rangers with best practices during encounters

Ű BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

IPOH: As part of efforts to enhance public safety at recreational and sports centres, the Ipoh City Council with the cooperation of Pantai Hospital Ipoh installed an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the Tuanku Zara Aquatic Centre here on September 20. The presentation was officiated by councillor Datuk Ahmad Hariri Kamarudin who represented the Ipoh mayor. Also present were the council’s chief whip Wong Kar Keat, the hospital’s CEO Yow Huai Mim, the council’s head of departments and hospital management staff. The aquatic centre is managed by the city council. The equipment would not only save lives during cardiac emergency cases but also KOTA KINABALU: Over 500 participants gathered in Tongod district recently for a vibrant celebration of World Elephant Day, underscoring a growing commitment across Sabah to safeguard both Bornean elephants and local communities. The event, spearheaded by the Tongod District Office, Sabah Wildlife Department and Earthworm Foundation, brought together students, community members, government agencies and NGOs to promote proven strategies for coexistence. Building on the successful momentum set when the annual occasion was marked in Beluran last year, the commemoration in Tongod saw a strategic expansion of the movement, engaging new communities and strengthening cross-sector collaboration across Sabah. The event showcased community-led solutions through cultural performances and conservation awareness activities by the Wildlife Junior Rangers. It also featured a forum titled ‘Elephants and Community: The Role of Community Patrol Groups in Elephant Coexistence.’ The forum, moderated by Earthworm Foundation, shone insights from the Community Elephant Ranger Team (CERT), Aki Keramuak Ranger Team and 7Team. Interactive elements, including student poster and colouring contests, highlighted the role of education. A key initiative recognised was the adoption of the community-developed 3P standard operational procedure. The 3P stands for “ pemantauan, pengawalan dan pengiringan ” (monitoring, management and escorting). This practical guidelines, created jointly by Earthworm Foundation, the Seratu Aatai biodiversity outfit and the Wildlife Department, Ű P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

chairman Datuk Masiung Banah, who is the Kuamut state assemblyman, said: “Protecting elephants while safeguarding our communities is a challenge we must face together. “Initiatives like today’s celebration show that when government, NGOs, and communities unite, we can find solutions that benefit both people and wildlife.” The Wildlife Department emphasised that effective coexistence depends on strong local partnerships. Its state director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said: “By providing training, recognition and platforms such as this, we empower local people to take active roles in conservation. This event reflects our commitment to a more inclusive and collaborative approach.” For Earthworm Foundation, the event represents a critical step in building a stronger foundation for community-led conservation. “We are proud that Tongod is launching this initiative. With support from government agencies and local leaders, we hope to replicate this empowering approach across Sabah,“ said its country representative Kiah Hui Ooi. “Empowering communities is key to ensuring long-term coexistence. I call on all stakeholders to join us in realising this vision across the landscape.”

Key partners united for the welfare of Sabah’s unique pachyderms: (from left) Mohd Soffian, Yuesri, Community Development Leader Unit representative Tokyo @ Abdul Hassim Omar, Tongod district head Jusison Saidin, Kiah and Kg Imbak Development and Security Committee chairman Jonis Lintikan.

not allow it to follow the fate of the Sumatran rhinoceros, which has recently gone extinct in Sabah. “Protecting elephants today means safeguarding our biodiversity, culture, and the well-being of future generations.” Echoing this call for shared responsibility, Sabah Housing and Town Development Board

equip community rangers with best practices during elephant encounters. In his address, Tongod District Officer Yuesri Ismail Yusof stressed the urgency of conservation, drawing a sobering lesson from recent history. “The Bornean elephant is an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage,” he said. “We must

Aquatic centre presented AED for public safety

cultivate health awareness on cardiovascular among the community. The initiative is in line with the council’s vision to make Ipoh a safe and healthy city. The installation of the AED is an undertaking by the hospital to make an impact on the residents. The aquatic centre was chosen as the first location to install the equipment as it is a popular water recreation landmark for the public. Another two AEDs will be installed at Arena Badminton and Perak Stadium this year. In his speech Ahmad Hariri commended the hospital, the management of the aquatic centre, relevant agencies and volunteers for their support. He hoped all quarters would fully utilise the facility for the safety and well-being of city folks.

Sharvika (2nd left), Mirtika (centre) and Thipikaa with Dr Malini Eaganathan of TMP Little Research Academy (left) and Dr Sudhan Lamsal of Benchmark International. Young sisters win sustainable innovation awards in Nepal

Ű P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

project titled “Autonomous Internet of Things Temperature and Humidity Detector System”. This international platform brought together young innovators under the theme of “STEM Innovations, Inventions and Prototypes for Sustainable Development Goals”. The Malaysian siblings’ creativity certainly paid off. The competition was organised in collaboration with World Book of Records and supported by Nepal’s Education Ministry. It aimed to nurture young leaders who will drive IR 4.0 technologies while promoting invention, science, creativity and sustainability. A total of 47 students from Malaysia had taken part in the competition together with students from 15 other countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. It was organised by Benchmark International (Nepal) and TMP Little Scientist Research Academy (Malaysia).

IPOH: Three sisters from Perak stamped their mark overseas, bagging two awards at the Global Summit 2025: STEM for SDG event held in Kathmandu, Nepal from September 5 to 8. The summit’s focus was on using science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Sharvika Vijaya Raman, a Form 2 student from SMK Perempuan Methodist Ipoh, Standard Five pupil Thipikaa of SJK (T) Chettiars and Mirtika, a preschool pupil from Smart Reader Kids Silibin earned gold medals and special awards for their project titled “Smart Drone for Monitoring and Mitigating River Pollution”. Sharvika and Thipika also won gold for the

Ahmad (5th right) and Yow (4th right) with community leaders at the launch of the defibrillator.