07/02/2026

SATURDAY | FEB 7, 2026

COMMUNITY 7

Mangrove tree-planting to counter climate change

Ű BY P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Volunteers participate to help protect Perak coastal ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and make shores resilient

KUALA LUMPUR: The remarkable legacy of the late primatologist and anthropologist Dr Jane Goodall was celebrated in a special way on Jan 25 to inspire hope and collective action. An event titled Jane’s Day of Hope brought together youth leaders, animal welfare advocates and the wider community for a day of meaningful impact. It was co-organised by Roots & Shoots Malaysia and PetFinder.my at The Estate on Federal Hill. Goodall, who had visited Malaysia and given talks in the country during her lifetime, died in October last year at the age of 91. “It was a truly wonderful and memorable event, with outstanding teamwork and heart from all involved,“ said of Roots & Shoots Malaysia president T.P. Lim. “Dr Jane Goodall would have been proud of everyone who contributed to making this day so special.” The event featured a pet adoption drive, in partnership with Second Chance, PAWS and STAR animal shelters, which collectively showcased 91 rescued animals. By the day’s end, 20 animals – 11 cats and nine dogs – found homes, leaving with their new families amid cheers and well-wishes from volunteers. Attendees also participated in Mission: Pawsible, an interactive search-and-find activity by PetFinder.my that engaged participants through fun and educational challenges. Participants received pet goodie bags by Mars Petcare, mission completion gifts and stood to win grand prizes of air-and-surface sterilisers sponsored by Medklinn. “We are delighted to see homeless animals touching the hearts of so many people,“ said PetFinder.my founder Andy Koh. “The joyful hugs and playful moments that led to happy forever families truly embodied the spirit of this day.” The event also showcased numerous workshops and exhibitor booths, many led by youths through initiatives from Roots & Shoots Malaysia Award alumni. The booths, supported by Yayasan Hasanah and Yayasan Gamuda, highlighted how young changemakers are driving community-based solutions that create meaningful impact for animals, people and the environment. Throughout the day, special “Remembering Jane” sessions honoured Goodall’s extraordinary life and work through commemorative speeches and heartfelt reflections. A musical tribute, Voice of Hope , composed by Koh captured the curiosity, compassion and courage that defined Goodall’s journey. Attendees also experienced the Remembering Jane Room, a dedicated memorial space celebrating her life and global impact. Audiences were also treated to a teaser of A Way Home , a documentary by Myles Storey about Han the gibbon, offering a moving insight into wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. Roots & Shoots Malaysia is part of the global Jane Goodall Institute Roots & Shoots programme to foster positive change for people, animals and the environment. PetFinder.my is a Malaysian pet adoption platform that connects homeless animals with loving families. Jane’s Day of Hope inspires Malaysians with collective action Talks, workshops and exhibitor booths featured the spirit of Goodall’s extraordinary life and work. – PIC COURTESY OF ROOTS & SHOOTS MALAYSIA

IPOH: In an effort to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development, over a hundred participants from various sectors planted 1,001 mangrove saplings along riverbanks in Changkat Keruing, Sungai Dinding and Manjung in Perak on Jan 31. The activity, dubbed Seeds of Sustainability: Mangrove Tree Planting Drive 2026, was organised by Quest International University (QIU) in collaboration with the Lumut Maritime Terminal and the Manjung Municipal Council. A number of industry players, environmental groups, the local community and healthcare professionals also took part. Planting saplings to grow mangrove trees contributes to the protection of coastal ecosystems, enhancement of biodiversity and long-term shoreline resilience. Mangroves play a critical role in mitigating effects of climate change by acting as carbon sinks, reducing coastal erosion and supporting marine and coastal habitats. Beyond environmental care, the programme also prioritised the wellbeing of the community. The Changkat Keruing Health Clinic provided basic health screening services to participants and surrounding residents. It helped reinforce an approach that integrates holistic sustainability with social and public health dimensions. The programme was officiated by Pantai Remis state assembly member Wong May Ing. Also present were Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and QIU vice-chancellor Prof Zita Mohd Fahmi. SANDAKAN: Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd (MASB) successfully conducted a large-scale disaster drill, dubbed Exercise Buazo (Ex Buazo), at Sandakan Airport, with close cooperation from various security and rescue agencies. “Buazo”, which means “crocodile” in the local native language, has been adopted as the name of the annual exercise due to the river near the airport’s only runway. The exercise on Jan 22 was a critical component of the airport’s ongoing safety protocol. It simulated a realistic emergency scenario to evaluate operational readiness, communication efficiency and on-ground coordination among the response units. According to an MASB spokesperson, the drill saw the active participation of several core agencies, including the Civil Defence Force, Sandakan district police, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Ministry, People’s Volunteer Corps, St John Ambulance of Malaysia and Malaysian Red Crescent Sandakan Chapter. “The successful execution of this drill clearly demonstrates our collective commitment to strengthening the disaster response framework at Sandakan Airport. “The seamless cooperation of all parties has successfully elevated the standards of operational safety, casualty management efficiency and most importantly, the comprehensive readiness of all involved,“ the spokesperson said. With the full participation of security, rescue and medical units, Ex Buazo 2026 served as a crucial platform to synchronise roles, refine Ű BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Participants are all smiles as they plant their saplings to promote a richer environment.

with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particulary SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnership for Goals).

Several community leaders also attended, reflecting strong institutional and government support for sustainability and community-based environmental initiatives. The Seeds of Sustainability initiative aligns

Realistic simulations during airport disaster drill

Ex Buazo 2026 offered a platform to synchronise roles, refine communication protocols and identify areas for improvement.

collective safety. Observations and data gathered during the exercise will be analysed to further refine emergency response plans and standard operating procedures. MASB reiterated its dedication towards such regular training to uphold the highest standards of safety and preparedness.

communication protocols and identify areas for improvement within the existing emergency mechanism. Such exercises are scheduled to be held regularly to ensure all procedures remain relevant and effective, thereby guaranteeing that Sandakan is always prepared with a trained and efficient response team for