06/12/2025

SATURDAY | DEC 6, 2025

COMMUNITY 7

Kyoto University eyes forest research collaboration o Academic delegates share ongoing research in Japan and tropical regions

Ű BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

K OTA KINABALU : The Forest Research Centre (FRC), under the Sabah Forestry Department in Sandakan, recently hosted a delegation from Japan’s Kyoto University, marking a significant step towards enhanced scientific partner ship in tropical forest ecology and management. The visit featured Prof Yusuke Onoda and Dr Hiroko Kurokawa from the university’s Graduate School of Agriculture, who explored potential research synergies with the department, particularly in forest ecology and ecosystem functioning. The delegates gave presentations on their ongoing research in Japan and other tropical regions, identifying promising areas for collaboration to support FRC’s work in Sabah. Their itinerary included a tour of FRC’s Sandakan facilities, such as the Sandakan Herbarium and Chemistry Laboratory, where they engaged with local researchers and examined technical capabilities and scientific collections. The delegation also conducted field visits to FRC’s long-term research sites in the Sepilok and Deramakot forest reserves. These visits offered direct insight into Sabah’s rich forest ecosystems and its globally recognised model of sustainable forest management. The Sabah Forestry Department anticipates the engagement to lead to meaningful and productive collaborations, advancing scientific knowledge and supporting forest

the Sabah Forestry Department, is renowned for its research in tropical forest conservation, restoration and sustainable management. The group, comprising 40 students and six lecturers, was welcomed by FRC researchers who conducted specialised briefings on two core areas of forestry science. The visit commenced with a session at the FRC research nursery, led by Kuina Kimjus, head of its tree breeding section. She provided an in depth overview of the centre’s work in native tree species propagation, seedling production, and silvicultural techniques essential for reforestation and conservation programmes. Following the nursery tour, the delegation attended a comprehensive briefing on forest ecosystem management delivered by Dr Reuben Nilus, the centre’s deputy head for research and publication. His presentation focused on approaches to managing forest landscapes, emphasising on the balance between ecological integrity, biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use.

The Japanese delegation (centre) with Forest Research Centre staff during the visit.

insight into the scientific work and innovative strategies employed by one of Sabah’s leading forestry research institutions. SFI is a key training ground for forestry technicians and officers while FRC, an important institution under

research and management practices. The field visit was part of SFI’s initiative to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical, on-ground research. It provided the next generation of forestry professionals with direct

conservation efforts. Meanwhile, a local delegation of 46 members from the Sabah Forestry Institute (SFI) in Telupid undertook an educational visit to FRC’s centre in Sepilok recently, gaining valuable exposure to advanced forestry

Campaign for animals highlights Gandhi’s non-violent message

MPs lend support to psoriasis awareness drive

KUALA LUMPUR: About 30 parliamentarians from across the political divide pledged their personal support for improving psoriatic care in Malaysia during a special exhibition organised by the Psoriasis Association of Malaysia (PAM) in conjunction with World Psoriasis Day 2025. For the first time, PAM held its awareness exhibition in the Parliament building, where MPs penned personalised messages of encouragement on a dedicated art canvas, symbolising solidarity with patients living with this often debilitating condition. PAM president Sofia Lovi Ramasamy expressed her deep appreciation for the overwhelming support shown by lawmakers. “We are grateful to parliamentarians for taking the time to understand about psoriasis as well as the challenges faced by psoriatic patients,” she said. “Your supportive messages uplift our community, and your influential voices are vital in ensuring that patient needs and struggles are addressed with compassion and urgency at every level of leadership.” The three-day exhibition, held from Nov. 18 to 20, aimed to elevate awareness about psoriasis and its serious related complications, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression. Several parliamentarians shared that they had previously been unaware of psoriasis or

KUALA LUMPUR: Ahead of the upcoming new year, a new message by Peta is urging viewers to follow in the spirit of Mohandas Gandhi’s compassion and respect for all animals, as the thinking, feeling individuals they are, by going vegan. Laguna Media has teamed up with Peta, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to promote the message on eight billboards in Greater Kuala Lumpur.

crammed by the thousands inside filthy pens and still conscious when their throats are slit at slaughterhouses,“ said Peta president Jason Baker in a statement. “More than 75 years after his death, Gandhi’s message of peace continues to inspire the world, and Peta urges everyone to show the same compassion to all by going vegan.” Each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year, dramatically shrinks their food-related carbon footprint, and slashes their risk of suffering from cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes and obesity. Peta’s free guide to going vegan is filled with tips to help anyone looking to make the switch.

Vanakkam Malaysia has also donated space on its website to Peta for a web banner. Called the Mahatma (”Great Soul”), Gandhi taught that non-violence begins with what we eat. “To my mind,“ he said, “I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.” In his total commitment to non-violence, Gandhi included animals. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated,” he stated. “One can only imagine what Gandhi’s reaction would be to today’s factory farms, where animals are

Subang MP Wong Chen (2nd right) and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri (centre) holding the art canvas.

“Regardless of the exact figure, much more needs to be done to strengthen psoriatic care in Malaysia.” She explained that eczema and psoriasis are both chronic inflammatory skin conditions but differ in cause, appearance, location and type of discomfort. “A key distinction is that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where skin cells grow too fast, while eczema is generally linked to a weakened skin barrier and allergic reactions which cause more intense itching.” PAM advisor Dr K. Thiruchelvam said the association hopes to build on the momentum by engaging the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to explore concrete proposals for improving patient care.

had confused psoriasis with eczema due to similarities in symptoms. Psoriasis is a lifelong, non contagious autoimmune disease affecting the skin and joints. This year’s World Psoriasis Day theme, “Psoriatic Disease and Comorbidities: Understanding the Domino Effect”, underscores the urgent need for early diagnosis, holistic care and improved access to treatment for patients. Dr Azura Mohd Affandi, head of the Dermatology Subspecialty under the Health Ministry said there are approximately 29,000 registered psoriatic patients in the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry, although estimates suggest the real number may be closer to 100,000 or 0.34% of the national population.

One of the eye-catching and inspiring billboards opposite Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya.