Coral reef clean-up collects 5kg underwater waste
BINTULU (July 2): A clean-up programme covering the Patricia Reef Seabed offshore here, led by Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Bintulu Port Authority (BPA), recorded a total of 5kg of underwater waste.
The exercise on Monday, run under the Coral Reef and Reef Ball for Ecosystem Enhancement and Stewardship (COREEFS) 2025, also involved a number of government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Dato Majang Renggi officiated at the programme kick-off at the Marine Police jetty base, which earlier gathered 62 volunteer divers and boat crew members coming for the seabed clean-up works.
'In this era of rapid development, the importance of marine conservation cannot be overstated. Coral reefs are invaluable natural assets, home to thousands of marine species.
'They support our fishing communities, and serve as key eco-tourism attractions as well,' Majang, who is Samalaju assemblyman, said in his speech.
According to him, the COREEFS project aligns with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, which prioritises green economy and sustainable development.
'Today's clean-up is more than just symbolic; it's a proactive step towards marine habitat's restoration, scientific research, environmental education and direct community involvement,' he added.
Majang also said advanced technologies such as seabed mapping, the Geographic Information System (GIS), and reef ball structures were being employed, demonstrating Sarawak's forward-thinking approach to conservation.
'Previous successes like the BEACON Project at Similajau National Park back in 2017, and the eco-marine programme at Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park in 2020, set the stage for this impactful initiative.
'Congratulations to all involved, from the dedicated volunteers and professional divers, to strategic partners and organising agencies. Let us continue to cultivate the love for nature and strive for a greener, cleaner, and more resilient Sarawak.'
Also present were SFC general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran and BPA acting head Capt Zakhir Khan Yusop.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
29-07-2025
- The Sun
Army probes equipment issues in commando's death during Seaghost training
LENGGONG: The Malaysian Army is conducting an internal investigation into the death of a 22nd Commando Regiment member during Exercise Seaghost Series 1/2025. Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan stated that preliminary findings suggest ageing equipment may have contributed to the incident. Cpl Mohd Haswansir Julnasir, 30, was reported missing on July 3 while conducting a dive using a closed-circuit breathing apparatus off Kuantan, Pahang. His body was recovered two days later. Muhammad Hafizuddeain said, 'Early findings show that the equipment involved was rather old, which could have been a contributing factor.' He confirmed that the Army follows scheduled maintenance procedures for all equipment, typically lasting 10 to 20 years. The board of inquiry will determine whether the incident resulted from equipment failure or human error. The Army Chief acknowledged challenges in managing ageing assets but assured that maintenance protocols are strictly followed to ensure operational readiness. – Bernama
Daily Express
29-07-2025
- Daily Express
Borneo Flora Festival 2025 kicks off with strong crowd, student support
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Student volunteers at the festival. LABUAN: About 100 Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students are gaining hands-on experience as volunteers at the five-day Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) 2025, which began on Saturday. First-year student Muhd Alif Hazim, 21, from the university's main campus, said he travelled to Labuan specifically to volunteer at the inaugural festival. 'This is the biggest event I've joined this year. I wanted to improve my communication skills and meet new people,' said the Computer Science (Data Science) student. He said the Borneo Tropical Flora and the Borneo Rainforest Jewel exhibitions drew strong interest from visitors on the first day, particularly for showcasing various floral species, including tulips, sunflowers, pohon pontianak and orchids. Siti Aisyah Masyop, 23, a student from the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, said this was her first volunteer experience and an opportunity to gain new knowledge and interact with the public. The Selangor-born student said their tasks included giving directions and assisting visitors with taking photographs. 'Visitors have been friendly and we always ask if they need any help. With the large crowd, some may be unsure of where to go,' she said. Third-year student Anne Roza Robin, 22, from the Faculty of International Finance, said she had been involved in the festival since its initial flower-planting phase. Hailing from Keningau, she described the experience as meaningful, especially in preparing herself for the working world. 'There was a huge turnout on the first day of BFF. Despite the hot weather, we remained committed to assisting visitors,' she said. Meanwhile, Labuan Corporation said in a Facebook post that a total of 37,130 visitors were recorded on the festival's opening day. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
29-07-2025
- Borneo Post
Rewilding project at Sg Lemidin signifies long-term mangrove restoration
Len Talif steals a glance at the camera while planting a tree during the ceremony at Sungai Lemidin, held to mark the launch of SFC's 'mangrove rewilding' project. — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 29): Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has launched an on-the-ground 'mangrove rewilding' project at Sungai Lemidin in Kuching Wetland National Park, which will involve the planting of 2,000 mangrove trees across two hectares of degraded wetland area. The initiative is part of the corporation's long-term plan to restore the vital mangrove ecosystems and also to strengthen Sarawak's environmental resilience against climate change. According to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh, the restoration project reflects the state's commitment to safeguarding biodiversity, while promoting sustainable development. 'This effort shows what we can achieve through cooperation and long-term planning. 'Our natural heritage is a valuable asset, and it is our responsibility to restore and protect it for future generations,' he told reporters after officiating at a tree-planting ceremony, meant to mark the launch yesterday. Len Talif also said that the project launch was held in connection with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, observed annually on July 26. 'The date highlights the importance of mangrove forests in supporting marine life, protecting shorelines and serving as natural carbon sinks.' Meanwhile, in a press statement, SFC stated that this rewilding effort meant to be aligned with Sarawak Biodiversity Master Plan, which was launched by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg earlier this year. 'The plan was developed in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malaysia and outlines a whole-of-government approach to biodiversity conservation.' SFC also said that the project meant to support Sarawak's Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which places environmental sustainability and green growth among its key development pillars. 'Mangrove restoration contributes to these goals by improving biodiversity, creating green jobs and building ecological resilience in vulnerable coastal regions. 'It will continue to monitor the restoration site and explore the expansion of similar efforts to other suitable locations across the state. 'The initiative is also supported by Mubadala Energy through a collaboration agreement signed in November last year,' said SFC.
