SPEECH FOR YAB DATUK SERI PANGLIMA MUSA HAJI AMAN, CHIEF MINISTER OF SABAH, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLOSING OF THE STAR BRATs P2P GREENIZ, AT SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE, KINABATANGAN, ON 26TH MAY, 2008 AT 12 NOON

SPEECH FOR YAB DATUK SERI PANGLIMA MUSA HAJI AMAN, CHIEF MINISTER OF SABAH, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLOSING OF THE STAR BRATs P2P GREENIZ PROGRAMME

AT SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE, KINABATANGAN, ON 26TH MAY 2008

On behalf of the Sabah State Government, I would like to thank Star Publications (Malaysia) Berhad for selecting the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain for The Star newspaper’s BRATs P2P GREENIZ programme. I also wish to congratulate students participating in this programme for their interest in becoming “Green Ambassadors.” I am confident a glimpse of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain, which is a hotspot for conservation, tourism and agriculture, will provide participants a better understanding of the needs of different stakeholders within this unique ecosystem.

This floodplain is home to diverse wildlife ranging from large mammals such as the orang utan and the Borneo pygmy elephant to some 250 species of birds, 90 species of fish and reptiles and an uncountable number of insects. It harbours a variety of habitats for these wildlife including limestone hills, mixed dipterocarp forests, freshwater swamps and mangrove swamps. The famous Gomantong caves, in which swiflets produce edible birds nests which are exported overseas, are also located in the floodplain. The range of flora and fauna in this floodplain has not only drawn scientific researchers from the world over, but has also helped local communities to participate in eco-tourism related activities. Several villages along the Kinabatangan river are currently pursuing homestay programmes, organising wildlife tours for travellers and this has led to economic spin-offs and a sustainable income for them.

The Sabah State Government has recognised the importance of this floodplain and had in 1999 declared it as “A Gift to the Earth.” Subsequently, in 2005, a total of 26,000 hectares of the floodplain was gazetted as the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, providing legal protection for unique wildlife species, and their habitats. Past land use policies saw land being cleared for agriculture for economic reasons but with input from the scientific community who pressed for protection of wildlife habitats, steps were taken to gazette the Lower Kinabatangan as a wildlife sanctuary. This shows that while we push for economic development, we also strive to create a balance, in line with the sustainable development policy outlined in the Sabah Development Corridor blueprint. The Sabah State Government remains committed in protecting the environment and this has been translated in several stands that we have taken, including not allowing the construction of a coal-fired plant in Silam, Lahad Datu, following protests and research that shows the construction of the plant could have a negative impact on diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems in its vicinity.

As a hotspot, many stakeholders lay claim to the Kinabatangan floodplain and what it can offer. I understand that the young people we have before us today are keen to do their part for the environment, and rightfully so, but I must take this opportunity to explain the importance of agriculture, in particular oil palm, that has taken over a large portion of the landscape here. Malaysia currently contributes 51 per cent to the world’s palm oil supply and a large percentage of this comes from Sabah and this area. As a producer and exporter of palm oil and its downstream products, Malaysia is playing an important role in meeting the global need for edible oils. The expansion of the oil palm industry has not only provided jobs for locals who live close to plantations, but has also brought with it basic infrastructure and telecommunication facilities.

Much has been said about the negative impact of oil palm on wildlife habitats, which has led to some international non-governmental organisations calling on consumers to stop buying buy palm oil based products as it would lead to more orang utans being killed. I would like to clarify and give you the assurance that we do not kill orang utans or other wildlife to make way for agriculture. It cannot be denied that oil palm plantations are here to stay and with the help of our many environmental NGOs, we are looking ahead as to what we can do better. At the Kinabatangan floodplain, conservation of the environment and the oil palm industry go hand-in-hand and we are creating a win-win situation for all stakeholders. Several plantation giants such as Asiatic Development Berhad, Pontian United Plantation and Sawit Kinabalu, are conducting reforestation to create forest corridors for wildlife such as the Borneo pygmy elephant. We commend them and others who realise that they must give up some of their land, so that wildlife will be able to move from one forested area to another. I would also like to remind those who have yet to clear crops at riparian reserves to do so as directed by the Sabah Government two years ago. Genetic studies have shown that some wildlife, including the endangered orang utan, risk going extinct due to in-breeding if they are confined to pocketed forests if they are unable to move to different areas.

I also wish to inform participants that environmental education has become one of our core interests in creating a future generation that cares for the environment. We launched the Sabah Environmental Education Network, or SEEN, in March 2005 which sees several government departments, related non-governmental organisations and other interested parties working together to create awareness on the importance of nature. The focus of SEEN’s activities is catered towards teachers and students. Another programme that is gaining recognition is the EERace which is similar to the famous television show “Amazing Race,” and which sees teachers learning about the environment for six days before they return to their schools to spread their new found knowledge to fellow teachers, and more importantly, to their students. There are several other initiatives such as the Bornean Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation programme which is now in its second phase, and the many organisations such as WWF Malaysia and SOS Rhino which continue to do their part in educating the public about the environment. I am also glad to see the involvement of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, especially undergraduates from the tourism management programme, participating in today’s programme.

On this note, I trust our very young participants today have learned something new and will through guidance of experienced environmentalists, be mobilised to do something positive for the environment.

Thank you.