Miri to intensify conservation of its sea
MIRI: Miri needs to intensify its environmental conservation into the sea as the pristine Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park and other marine life are becoming popular attractions for many foreign and local divers and anglers.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the sea, besides being a tourist attraction is also an important source of food which should not be allowed to be degraded or polluted by human.
“Currently, our over 20 coral reefs are in pristine state, very healthy but one serious problem based on feedbacks from divers they are concerned to see some plastic and fishing nets entangled to the coral reefs. All these will affect the health of the coral reefs and damage them.
“This is where we need to create greater awareness especially among the locals not to discard rubbish including plastic materials in the rivers which will end up in the sea, affecting the marine life including coral reef,” he stressed.
Currently, our over 20 coral reefs are in pristine state, very healthy but one serious problem based on feedbacks from divers they are concerned to see some plastic and fishing nets entangled to the coral reefs. All these will affect the health of the coral reefs and damage them. — Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Lee also the first vice-chairman of the Malaysian Red Crescent, MRC Miri Chapter made the remark yesterday at the fifth committee meeting for the World Oceans Day (WOD) 2017 which is to be celebrated in Miri for the first time, in July.
Also present were the Organising chairman Datin Judy Wan Morshidi who is also Miri MRC second vice chairman, deputy organising chairman Iqbal Abdollah, Musa Musbah, Chairman of the Malaysian Nature Society. MNS Miri Branch and organising secretary Kho Yok Chong.
Lee commended Judy and her team of volunteers and advocates of sustainable environment in forming the working committee for the WOD 2017.
He said their efforts deserved support by the various government agencies including Miri City Council and the general public.
Various programmes have been lined up for the WOD 2017 which will start with a beach clean up on July 1. Other activities include a symposium, essay writing competition, speech contest and arts and craft competition and exhibition.
There will be talks on radio in various languages in addition to setting up a facebook page, where the people can contribute ideas towards achieving healthy oceans.
World Oceans Day, WOD is the official UN-designated international day of ocean celebration. Held on June 8 each year since 2009, WOD is to provide an opportunity to all to combat the current challenges spoiling the ocean cycle.
Themed “0ur Oceans, Our Future” its main conservation focus will be on plastic pollution prevention and cleaning the ocean of marine hazards.
At the function, Lee announced RM2,000 to help finance the activities. He also received on behalf of the committee RM1,000 donation from MNS and a RM600 personal donation by Iqbal who is also the treasurer of MNS Miri Chapter.