Thumbs up for Sabah BN manifesto in environment protection

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabahan veteran journalist has applauded the Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto for giving serious commitment to protect the state's natural environment.

Emin Madi, a freelance writer, said the BN's pledges was consistent with the state's policy towards setting aside 30 percent of its landmass as totally protected areas (TPA) by 2025.

“As far as I'm concerned, it's indeed a political will when it comes to protecting our natural heritage, as this will ensure our future generation will not be deprived of inheriting it.

“I have more reasons to support the manifesto because I have taken part in many wildlife and resource surveys in Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon conservation areas,” he told Bernama.

He said, working along with forest and wildlife researchers and some of the well-known scientists in Sabah, had provided him a better understanding of the forest and wildlife conservation efforts in the state.

“Scientists and researchers in Sabah is a small community but these are the people who provided important scientific information which are crucial in communicating to the stakeholders, especially the public, on the importance of forest and wildlife protection.

“To me they are the unsung heroes because they work so passionately in protecting Malaysia's rich biodiversity in North Borneo.

“Not many people are aware of the challenges they faced when doing survey and research work in the deep, leech-infested forests. Sometimes they have close encounter with poachers who carry weapons.

“This is why I find the BN's manifesto very encouraging as natural environment and wildlife protection in Malaysia, especially Sabah, is crucial, not to mention its huge potential in eco-tourism.

“I believe the more than one million hectares of TPAs in Sabah would not have been achieved without the state's strong policy on sustainable forest management by the Sabah Forest Department and also the serious support of Sabah Chief Minister, Tan Sri Musa Aman,” he said.

In the BN's 14th General Election manifesto, protection of environment towards a green economy is one of the 20 commitments offered by the party to Sabah if it is given another mandate.

After many decades of nonsustainable, politically driven timber allocation policies, Sabah is now leading the country in terms of TPAs network.

As of November 2016, Sabah's TPAs was 1,874,061 hectares or 25.46 percent of the state's total land area of 73,371 sq km, about 10 percent of the island of Borneo.

“It would be interesting if more political leaders not only take keen interest in environmental issues but spend some time visiting or exploring our pristine and untouched forest,” Emin said. - Bernama