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New Straits Times
a day ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Kiau Gap site stays open for families to remember Sabah earthquake victims
RANAU: The Kiau Gap View site, which honours the 18 lives lost during the June 5, 2015, earthquake, will remain open to families wishing to visit and hold private moments of remembrance. Sabah Parks Board of Trustees chairman Peter Lintar announced that no more formal memorial services will be held at the Kiau Gap site in the coming years. "You are not alone. "The memory of your loved ones lives on in our prayers and collective spirit," he said during the 10th Memorial Service held at the site, where a monument was erected in 2016 to honour the victims. He also said that Sabah Parks had consistently organised annual memorials since 2016 and expressed gratitude to all who have attended especially the families of the victims. The victims, including spirited schoolchildren from Singapore, were remembered as individuals taken too soon in a place meant to symbolise the beauty of nature. Their families were commended for their enduring resilience. During the ceremony, family members lit candles at exactly 7.15am the time the earthquake struck ten years ago and later laid flowers at the monument. "This is a day of reflection, remembrance, and strength for all of us. Mount Kinabalu, so majestic, became the backdrop to a tragedy that claimed 18 beloved lives. "The scars of that day remain deeply etched in the hearts of families, friends, the people of Sabah and Malaysia, as well as the international community who also felt its impact. "To those who lost loved ones, we understand that the pain never truly goes away. Ten years may heal physical wounds, but the longing for those we lost endures. "Thank you for the strength and courage you have shown over the years," he added. The memorial also paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of mountain guides, porters, rescue personnel, volunteers, and local villagers who played critical roles in the search and rescue operations. Since the tragedy, various initiatives have been implemented to improve safety and preparedness on the mountain. These include the formation of the Mountain Search and Rescue (MoSAR) unit, regular rescue simulation exercises, enhanced standard operating procedures (SOPs), better emergency protocols, and upgraded training and assessments for mountain guides. Public awareness campaigns have also been strengthened to improve disaster readiness. "We have learned the importance of humility in the face of nature's power and the need for efficient early warning systems and safe climbing practices." Among those present were Sabah Parks director Dr Maklarin Lakim; Sabah Fire and Rescue chief Mohd Pisar Aziz; Ranau district officer Tinus Manggam; Archbishop Datuk John Wong; and Ranau police representative Deputy Superintendent Ediansha Endal.
The Star
20-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Sabah breaks coral planting record
12,000 fragments laid in sea around Kudat in a reef restoration initiative KOTA KINABALU: A large-scale reef restoration effort in Sabah has landed in the Malaysia Book of Records after 12,000 coral fragments were laid in the sea around Kudat in what is recognised as the 'largest coral fragment planting initiative'. The achievement was verified yesterday, in conjunction with the ninth anniversary of the gazettement of the Tun Mustapha Park in Kudat. Various agencies, local communities and volunteers managed to plant the coral fragments on the seafloor at Simpang Mengayau (Tip of Borneo), close to Pulau Kalampunian, from May 5 to 18. 'Congratulations to the director of Sabah Parks (Dr Maklarin Lakim) and his team, all collaborative partners, and implementing agencies that turned this vision into a reality,' said Datuk Seri Christina Liew, Sabah's Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister. 'To the local communities – you are the true guardians of the sea. This collaboration strengthens an inclusive and effective conservation network,' she said, adding that the figure of 12,000 (coral fragments) reflected everyone's determination and unity. Acknowledging the equally important role played by villages like Tajau Laut, Marang Parang, Bavang Jamal and the Banggi Island community, Liew commended them for having been key contributors to conservation efforts ranging from joint monitoring and coral reef restoration to community-based ecotourism. She said this activity was accomplished earlier than expected in just four days, with the participation of over 500 individuals, including from Sabah Parks, WWF-Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, enforcement agencies and the private sector. The participants comprised certified divers, non-divers, local communities from Kg Tajau Laut and Simpang Mengayau, and various stakeholders, including tourism players, she said. Since its gazettement nine years ago, the Tun Mustapha Park (TTM), which spans over 898,000ha, has pioneered the management of marine-protected areas in Sabah. It is Malaysia's largest multi-use marine park and one of the most expansive in the region, housing over 528 species of fish, 250 species of corals, three endangered sea turtle species, dugongs, dolphins and iconic species such as whale sharks and whales, she said. Meanwhile, tourists caught handling starfish (also known as sea stars) in Sabah's territorial waters will face stern action, said Liew in response to yet another incident that took place near Tanjung Aru, just outside the boundaries of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The viral video showed a tourist, believed to be a foreign national, who was on a paddleboard (stand-up-paddle), doing the misdeed recently. 'KePKAS views this incident seriously and authorities will not hesitate to take stern action against any party found violating regulations related to wildlife and natural ecosystems in the state,' said Liew. Following an investigation conducted by Sabah Parks, it was confirmed that the incident involved a tour company, with a total of 30 sea stars collected in the incident, ranging from the Horned Sea Star or Chocolate Chip Sea Star, known locally as tapak sulaiman bertanduk (Protoreaster nodosus). She urged all tour operators to exercise greater responsibility in ensuring that their clients and staff adhere strictly to guidelines and regulations, particularly those concerning the protection of marine life. 'Awareness and compliance with these regulations are vital to ensure the sustainability of the marine ecosystem for the well-being of future generations,' she said.
Daily Express
18-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Corals in Malaysian records book
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025 Text Size: Hexagon-shaped frames to be tied with coral fragments before transportation to the deployment site. INSET: A group of participants from the local community tying coral fragments to the frames at the beach of Simpang Mengayau. KOTA KINABALU: The ongoing largest coral fragment planting event in Malaysia sited at Simpang Mengayau within the Tun Mustapha Park (TTM) in Kudat is making its way into the prestigious Malaysia Book of Records (MBR). This mammoth endeavour involves tying a total of 12,000 coral fragments to 1,000 metal frames, transporting and installing them at a site about two kilometres from the Tip of Borneo close to Pulau Kalampunian. Advertisement About 60 divers and 250 non-divers (participants) are engaged in the planting project, apart from five shuttler boats to deliver the frames from the coral tying site on land to the deployment site (Tip of Borneo). Today (Sunday), three divers from the MBR, together with divers from the Sabah Parks (TTS) which initiated this planting programme, will inspect and certify the designated coral planting sites on the seafloor at TTM. On Monday (May 19), TTS will receive the Certificate of Recognition from a MBR representative at the launching ceremony in Kudat. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew is expected to launch the event with the theme 'Unite for Oceans' in conjunction with the 9th Anniversary of the gazettement of TTM at Dewan Tun Mustapha Kudat on Monday (May 19). Advertisement 'Kudos to the Director and team of Sabah Parks for implementing a major coral restoration initiative. I am proud that Tun Mustapha Park is making history by hosting the Largest Coral Fragment Planting Event ever recorded in Malaysia. 'This is a potential tourism product for Kudat which is already famous for its picturesque Tanjung Simpang Mengayau (Tip of Borneo),' she said. Director of the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks (TTS), Dr Maklarin Lakim, who led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Liew on Friday, briefed her on the planting exercise. 'The main objectives of this programme are to rehabilitate the damaged coral reef in a selected area within Taman Tun Mustapha (TTM) in Kudat, and to involve the local community in efforts to conserve the marine ecosystem,' he said. According to him, this ambitious marine restoration initiative was carried out over two weeks, mobilising hundreds of participants, including certified divers, non-divers, local communities, and various stakeholders. Dr Maklarin said TTS implemented the programme by adopting the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS). This system entails nine processes, namely Coral Habitat Assessment, Building of Frames (or Reef Stars), Coral Collection, Coral Fragmenting, Tying of Coral Fragments to each Frame, Shuttling or Transportation of Frames to Site (or Reef Stars), Reef Star Deployment (or Installation of Frames), Arrangement of the Reef Stars to form a Beehive Web on the seabed, and Maintenance & Monitoring. There are 12 free diver shuttlers at the deployment site to deliver the frames from the surface of the sea to the seafloor; eight builder divers to securely install the frames at designated sites on the seafloor at Tun Mustapha Park (TTM); 30 support divers assist the builder divers in placing the frames on the seafloor to ensure the smooth operation of coral planting activities; and four rescue divers to ensure the safety of all dive participants. Also present at the courtesy call were TTS Senior Principal Assistant Director Fazrullah Rizally Haji Abdul Razak, Principal Assistant Director Ak Mohd Rodzan Pg Dahlan, Assistant Director Norhaslam Adin, and TTM Park Officer Ivycleire Edward. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
17-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Largest coral fragment planting to enter Malaysia Book of Records
Hexagon-shaped frames to be tied with coral fragments before transportation to the deployment site. INSET: A group of participants from the local community tying coral fragments to the frames at the beach of Simpang Mengayau. KOTA KINABALU (May 17): The ongoing largest coral fragment planting event in Malaysia at Simpang Mengayau within the Tun Mustapha Park (TTM) in Kudat is making its way into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR). This mammoth endeavour involves tying a total of 12,000 coral fragments to 1,000 metal frames, transporting and installing them at a site about two kilometres from the Tip of Borneo close to Pulau Kalampunian. About 60 divers and 250 non-divers (participants) are engaged in the planting project, apart from five shuttler boats to deliver the frames from the coral tying site on land to the deployment site (Tip of Borneo). Today (Sunday), three divers from the MBR, together with divers from the Sabah Parks (TTS) which initiated this planting programme, will inspect and certify the designated coral planting sites on the seafloor at TTM. On Monday (May 19), TTS will receive the Certificate of Recognition from a MBR representative at the launching ceremony in Kudat. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew is expected to launch the event with the theme 'Unite for Oceans' in conjunction with the ninth anniversary of the gazettement of TTM at Dewan Tun Mustapha Kudat on May 19. 'Kudos to the director and team of Sabah Parks for implementing a major coral restoration initiative. I am proud that Tun Mustapha Park is making history by hosting the Largest Coral Fragment Planting Event ever recorded in Malaysia. 'This is a potential tourism product for Kudat which is already famous for its picturesque Tanjung Simpang Mengayau (Tip of Borneo),' she said. Director of the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks (TTS), Dr Maklarin Lakim, who led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Liew yesterday, briefed her on the planting exercise. 'The main objectives of this programme are to rehabilitate the damaged coral reef in a selected area within Taman Tun Mustapha (TTM) in Kudat, and to involve the local community in efforts to conserve the marine ecosystem,' he said. According to him, this ambitious marine restoration initiative was carried out over two weeks, mobilising hundreds of participants, including certified divers, non-divers, local communities, and various stakeholders. Dr Maklarin said TTS implemented the programme by adopting the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS). This system entails nine processes, namely coral habitat assessment, building of frames (or Reef Stars), coral collection, coral fragmenting, tying of coral gragments to each frame, shuttling or transportation of frames to site (or Reef Stars), Reef Star deployment (or installation of frames), arrangement of the Reef Stars to form a beehive web on the seabed, and maintenance and monitoring. There are 12 free diver shuttlers at the deployment site to deliver the frames from the surface of the sea to the seafloor; eight builder divers to securely install the frames at designated sites on the seafloor at Tun Mustapha Park (TTM); 30 support divers assist the builder divers in placing the frames on the seafloor to ensure the smooth operation of coral planting activities; and four rescue divers to ensure the safety of all dive participants. Also present at the courtesy call were TTS Senior Principal Assistant Director Fazrullah Rizally Haji Abdul Razak, Principal Assistant Director Ak Mohd Rodzan Pg Dahlan, Assistant Director Norhaslam Adin, and TTM Park Officer Ivycleire Edward. Chronology : . May 5-12 : Preparation of coral frames (Reef Stars) took place at Kg Tajau Laut, Kudat, involving a three-layer process using anti-rust, resin and sand. . May 13 : Coral collection of more than 20 species from TTM began and continued until May 14. As per protocol, only 10 per cent of each coral colony was harvested. . May 13-14 : The coral frames (Reef Stars) were transported from Kg Tajau Laut to the Tip of Borneo. . May 15-18 : Coral fragmenting took place. The coral fragments were tied to the frames (12 fragments per frame, totalling 12,000 fragments) at the beach of Simpang Mengayau. The frames were then shuttled from the beach to the coral deployment site and successfully deployed near Kalampunian Island. . May 16 : A total of 723 Reef Stars out of 1,000 Reef Stars (or coral frames) had been successfully deployed to the installation site close to Pulau Kalampunian.
