11/10/2025

SATURDAY | OCT 11, 2025

8

COMMUNITY

Orangutan diplomacy to strengthen conservation o Sungai Pin Conservation Area a ‘hidden gem’ in need of protection

Ű BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

IP0H: The Salvation Army Ipoh, a non-profit organisation which relies on donations and grants for its operations, has had to grapple with rising costs of late. To help sustain its coffers, the home organised an open day to raise funds at its children’s home at Jalan Kampar here on Sept 20. The funds were raised through the sales of coupons to purchase food at the stalls. Team leader for its Ipoh centres Mejar T. Chelvee said its water bills have risen drastically all of a sudden. “In April and May the bill came up to RM354.15 but then shot up to RM1,026.40 for June and July. “For the months of August and September it reads RM1,126.70,” she said. Perak Water Boad customers are billed once in two months. “We have written a letter to the board KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s conservation efforts received a major boost on Oct 2 when a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was exchanged under the Orangutan Diplomacy Programme at the Sungai Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA) in Kinabatangan. The MoU was previously signed by the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) and Borneo Samudera Sdn Bhd (BSSB), a subsidiary of Sawit Kinabalu Group. It was formally exchanged at a ceremony officiated by Plantation and Commodities Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof and Sawit Kinabalu Managing Director Datuk Victor Ationg. In his speech, Yusran, who is also MPOGCF Board of Trustees chairman, described the programme as crucial to ensure orangutans can move freely in their natural habitat without disturbance from human activities, plantation operations or uncontrolled tourism. He highlighted that the MoU was especially timely following Unesco’s recognition of Kinabatangan as Malaysia’s newest Biosphere Reserve on Sept 27. “This effort reflects Malaysia’s seriousness in safeguarding its wildlife while balancing sustainable development,“ he said. Yusran also commended Sawit Kinabalu for allocating 2,632 hectares in Sungai Pin Estate as a High Conservation Value (HCV) area, home to an estimated 55 orangutans. He noted that a population study conducted with MPOGCF and NGO Hutan would soon provide updated figures on the orangutan population in Sabah, currently estimated at between 10,000 and 11,000. To support the Orangutan Diplomacy initiative, he also announced a special RM20,000 allocation from MPOGCF.

Meanwhile, Ationg credited strong support from the ministry and partners to help create lasting impact for the environment, local communities and the palm oil sector. He said the conservation area represents a flagship initiative showing that oil palm development can coexist with biodiversity protection, community empowerment and ecotourism. “SPnCA is a living testament to Sabah’s potential as a global model for sustainable palm oil landscapes. “The Orangutan Diplomacy initiative carries a powerful message that when industry, government and communities work together, we can protect wildlife such as the orangutan while also ensuring the well-being of people and the long-term sustainability of the industry,“ he said. Through its Conservation and Biodiversity Unit, BSSB manages SPnCA as part of Sawit Kinabalu’s wider sustainability agenda. The MoU, Ationg explained, would strengthen collaboration between industry players and conservation bodies, enhancing wildlife protection while reinforcing Sabah’s role as a leader in sustainable palm oil production. Also present were Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) Chief Executive Officer Belvinder Sron, SKG Green Chief Executive Officer Philipa Datuk Wilfred Mojilis, and MPOGCF General Manager Hairulazim Mahmud.

(From left) Mojilis, Ationg, Yusran, Hairulazim and Belvinder during the MoU signing ceremony.

he added. SPnCA, described as a “hidden gem” in Kinabatangan, is managed under the SPnCA Conservation Area Management Plan.

“This collaboration not only strengthens the conservation agenda but also enhances the credibility of Malaysia’s palm oil industry, which is committed to biodiversity protection,”

Charitable body conducts fund-raising

for an explanation and are still waiting for a reply.“ She noted that there are still donors and good souls who contribute to the home’s maintenance. Financial aid is needed to run its three homes and a centre for community activities and programmes in Ipoh. These include residential care centres for children and youths, and a home for the aged. There are currently 75 occupants in the three homes. “We need RM500,000 a year to pay salaries of staff, bills and others,” she said. “We receive an annual grant from the state government which is not a fixed amount. The home has to submit details of what is needed to have the allocation, she added. – By P. CHANDRA SAGARAN

Tan presenting a carton of drinking water to Rohaizat. – P. CHANDRA SAGARAN/THESUN

Ű P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com Aid preparation for expected floods

to reach the victims to distribute the items. This is to ease the victims’ burden before they are evacuated if such a need arises. Ng explained that the agency had approached the club for assistance. “We are responding to their appeal. In fact, more clubs wanted to donate after Sept 25, the target date. We stopped at 12 clubs and will wait for the agency’s appeal if there is an increase in the number of flood victims. “We managed to bring in 200 cartons of drinking water, 1,000 hygiene sets and 1,000 packets of food items which are sufficient for now,“ he said. Meanwhile, Rohaizat said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage has identified 280 locations as “hotspots” vulnerable to floods in 12 districts in the state. “The monsoon transition phase began from Sept 30 and and the North East Monsoon is expected to start from November until March next year. “The State Civil Defence Force had trained 890 personnel who are ready to be mobilised in areas affected by floods,“ he added. Rohaizat commended the Lions clubs who have contributed to the cause.“It is vital for all quarters to forge strategic partnership to face natural disasters,“ he said.

IPOH: With heavy floods expected in the next few months, 12 Lions Club organisations in Perak are taking proactive measures to supply necessities to the State Civil Defence Force. Provisions are being readied to supply immediate assistance to victims before they are shifted to flood relief centres. The effort was initiated by the Lions Club of Perak Silver State which donated necessities, including drinking water, ready-to-eat dry food like biscuits, and hygiene sets consisting of towels, soaps, toothbrushes and toothpastes. The items were delivered to the Civil Defence Force office here on October 2. The director of the force Kol Rohaizat Hadli received them from the club. Present were Lions Clubs District 308B2 Governor Tan Say Cheong and presidents and representatives of the clubs involved. Rohaizat also presented appreciation certificates to representatives of the clubs. Club Region 5 chairperson Dr Richard Ng said the action plan is to reach affected areas, especially those marked as “red zones” which would likely be inaccessible during flooding. He noted that the agency’s staff would be able

Students from SJK (C) Shen Jai set up a food stall to raise funds for the Salvation Army.