MALAYSIA’S ‘GREEN WARRIOR’ DIES AT 82
Ex-Veterinary Services Dept D-G was a life-long learning advocate
THE late Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Mustaffa Babjee who died yesterday at 82, was an advocate of lifelong learning.
The former Veterinary Services Department director-general’s credentials included a Masters of Science in Environment Biology from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), a PhD in virology from the University of Queensland, Australia, as well as two honorary doctorates from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the University of Queensland.
At the age of 69, 13 years ago, Mustaffa earned his seventh degree — Masters of Science in Environment Biology — from USM.
“I am a believer in life-long learning, from womb to tomb,” he had said.
Mustaffa was dubbed Malaysia’s green warrior.
He was a prominent figure on nature conservation, and played an instrumental role in the preservation of Malaysia’s rare and special biodiversity species.
He catapulted Malaysia into becoming one of the top 12 mega biodiversity nations in 2009.
Malaysia secured the prestigious spot as it was endowed with 15,000 species of flowering plants, 1,500 species of terrestrial vertebrates and 150,000 species of invertebrates at the time.
In one of the many books that he authored, Mustaffa was candid on how he had started to develop an interest in the environment.
In the preface of his book on environment conservation titled
Glimpses of the Environment ,he said the Japanese occupation had had a profound impact on his life during his growing-up years in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
“Our immediate environment provided our daily needs for food.
“All my life, I have been curious about nature.
“I can sit and watch nature at work for hours.”
The nature world, Mustaffa said, was more than merely a source of food and material, as the country galvanised almost all of its machinery towards becoming a developed nation.
In one of his interviews with this newspaper, he had highlighted the importance of Malaysia having sustainable development to prevent its vast species of flora and fauna from being wiped out.
“I believe development and conservation can co-exist.
“We can create economic activities not only through expansion and growth, but also through the improvement of life’s quality.
“For example, in Kuala Lumpur, we can infuse green technology in existing buildings and utilise technology to improve the living standard of residents of low-cost flats.”
His contributions to the poultry industry earned him the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Malaysian Livestock Industry Awards in April last year.
Mustaffa also did a PhD on the patterns of habitat of the Indian whistling duck, also known as lesser-whistling teal, at the Janda Baik pond in Pahang.
It is a medium-sized waterfowl species, native to Southeast Asia. It is different from other duck species and has longer legs and an erect goose-like posture.
After retiring from government service, Mustaffa made significant impact on the corporate world.
Among the positions he held were as UBM Malaysia chairman, Comsa Farms Bhd director, AMB Exhibitions Sdn Bhd president and Asia Internet Holdings Sdn Bhd executive director.