Latest news with #MohdSoffianAbuBakar
Daily Express
7 days ago
- Daily Express
Green Turtle parts: Three Filipinos jailed and fined
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 Text Size: KOTA MARUDU: Three Filipinos were jailed one year and fined RM220,000 each after being found guilty of possessing approximately 865kg of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) parts stored in 39 sacks and 14 boxes. They were arrested by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers on Sept 27, 2023, in Sabah waters near Simpang Mengayau, Kudat. The case was handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department for further investigation and prosecution. They were charged under Section 41(1) of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional eight months of imprisonment. 'This success reflects the strong inter-agency cooperation and our continued commitment to protect endangered marine species, especially the green turtle,' said Sabah Wildlife Department Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, who commended the swift action of the Kudat MMEA enforcement team. * 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
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Sabah to consider wildlife-friendly roads for Phase 3 of Pan Borneo Highway
KOTA KINABALU: Suggestions from stakeholders to build "wildlife-friendly" roads will be considered for Phase 3 of the Pan Borneo Highway project, said Sabah Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. "For Phase 3 of the Pan Borneo Highway project, it has not officially commenced yet. "Therefore, these suggestions can be considered, as the project is still in the planning stage," he said when contacted regarding a recently concluded workshop on infrastructure development. The Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah is divided into three phases: Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3. The state is still completing the Phase 1 project. The four-day workshop, held at Maliau Basin, was co-organised by the Sabah Wildlife Department, the Centre for Large Landscape Conservation, the IUCN WCPA/SSC Asian Elephant Transport Working Group and WWF-Malaysia. Among the suggestions raised during the programme were that road construction should avoid sensitive areas such as high conservation value forests, water catchments, steep slopes, and key biodiversity zones. Where avoidance is not possible, impact should be minimised by realigning routes or incorporating viaducts, culverts, and canopy bridges. Affected areas should also be restored through habitat rehabilitation and ecological reconnection. The workshop was attended by 46 participants from 15 government agencies, including the Public Works Ministry, non-governmental organisations and technical partners. In a joint statement, Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said it is still possible to incorporate conservation measures, as Phase 3 of the Pan Borneo Highway is currently under planning. "We must learn from past mistakes, such as in Phase 1B, where the highway alignment was finalised before biodiversity concerns were fully addressed. "This resulted in a route that cuts through the Tawai Forest Reserve, a Class I Protection Forest," he said. WWF-Malaysia Sabah Conservation head Dr Robecca Jumin said that while they support development, it should not come at the expense of the environment. "Infrastructure that avoids environmentally sensitive areas is not only better for nature. It is also more climate-resilient and cost-effective in the long run. "With early intervention, cost-benefit analysis, and proper planning, including budgeting for environmental safeguards and strong political will, we can build roads that serve communities without sacrificing Sabah's unique forests, elephants, orangutans, and other iconic wildlife. "Too often, environmental experts are consulted too late to influence road alignments or the design of wildlife crossings," she added. While limited data is available on roadkill incidents, vehicle collisions are a known threat to the endangered Bornean pygmy elephants (Elephas maximus borneensis), which are endemic to Sabah. These elephants also face multiple threats, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and poisoning.
The Star
17-05-2025
- General
- The Star
World's smallest bears get bigger time in the sun
New look: The revamped exhibit is also able to accommodate more sun bears in a spacious day stall area, where the public can witness their charm up close. KOTA KINABALU: The world's smallest bear species now has a much bigger stage at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, with the launch of a newly upgraded sun bear exhibit designed to champion conservation and captivate visitors. Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the revamped exhibit is also able to accommodate more sun bears in a spacious day stall area, where the public can witness their charm up close. 'It aims to strengthen conservation efforts, educate the public and raise awareness about the threats faced by this vulnerable species, especially from wildlife crime,' he said at the launching ceremony yesterday. 'It marks a major step forward in promoting conservation and improving animal welfare.' Timed perfectly with Malaysia's preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026 – where the sun bear will proudly serve as the official mascot – the launch is also expected to spark new interest among both local and international travellers. The upgrade is the result of a successful collaboration between the Sabah Wildlife Department, Wild Welfare, and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Fresh enrichment features and furniture have been installed to provide a more engaging environment to stimulate the sun bears' natural behaviours, creating a more dynamic and welfare-focused setting for the bears living in captivity at the wildlife park. The RM230,000 upgrade, which began in January and wrapped up on April 24, offers visitors a closer and more meaningful experience with one of Malaysia's most iconic wildlife species. Dr Wong Siew Te, founder of the BSBCC, described the sun bear as 'the smallest bear species, but one of the most threatened, often falling victim to the illegal wildlife trade'. 'This exhibit not only provides a better living environment for the bears but also helps the public understand the urgent need for their conservation,' he said. Simon Marsh, operations manager at Wild Welfare, praised the park's efforts, calling it inspiring to see Lok Kawi Wildlife Park prioritising the mental and physical well-being of its animals. He said Wild Welfare will continue to support the wildlife park by providing training and technical advice to assist in further improvements. Currently, Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is home to seven sun bears – three males and four females – many of whom were rescued from illegal ownership or voluntarily surrendered to the Sabah Wildlife Department. Since 2015, the park has successfully rehabilitated and released 13 sun bears back into the wild, reinforcing its critical role as a rescue and rehabilitation centre. The newly upgraded sun bear exhibit is now open to the public daily from 9am to 5pm.
The Star
14-05-2025
- The Star
Sabah eco-tourism destinations get RM1.25mil boost for upgrades
Liew (right) with Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar at the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. KOTA KINABALU: Four eco-tourism attractions in Sandakan, Sabah will receive major upgrades with a RM1.25mil allocation. The funding covers the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Agnes Keith House and the upcoming Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery. This includes RM750,000 from the federal government and RM500,000 from the Sabah government. Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the upgrades are part of a broader strategy to showcase Sabah's rich biodiversity. "Sandakan is blessed with incredible wildlife and these upgrades will add value to the visitor experience while ensuring the long-term conservation of our natural heritage. "These are not just facilities for tourists but critical conservation sites. "The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, for example, has played a vital role in global wildlife conservation since it opened in 1964," she said during her visit to the centres on Wednesday (May 14). Liew said the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre is the only one of its kind globally, which provides a sanctuary for the endangered species and is also a research and environmental education hub. The funding will also support the development of the Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery at the PWD 2002 Building in Sandakan. The gallery will showcase the exploration history of the husband-and-wife duo, Martin and Osa Johnson, who documented the wildlife and cultures of the Kinabatangan region in the 1930s. Liew said the gallery, which will complement the nearby Agnes Keith House, is expected to enhance the cultural tourism offerings in Sandakan, which already draws around 21,000 visitors annually. The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre are located in Sepilok, a forested area about 25km from Sandakan.
Daily Express
29-04-2025
- General
- Daily Express
‘Sun Bear Exhibit upgrade timely'
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), led by its Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, officially launched the newly-upgraded Sun Bear Exhibit at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (LKWP), here. According to statement from SWD, the enhanced exhibit, designed to accommodate more sun bears in a spacious day stall area for public viewing, aims to strengthen conservation efforts, educate the public, and raise awareness about the threats faced by this vulnerable species, particularly those related to wildlife crime. It said, timed perfectly with Malaysia's preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026 – where the Sun Bear has been chosen as the official mascot – the launch is expected to boost local and international tourism. The department added that it marks a major step forward in promoting conservation as well as improving animal welfare, and the upgraded exhibit is the result of a successful collaboration between SWD, Wild Welfare, and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. 'It features newly added enrichment structures and furniture designed to stimulate the sun bears' natural behaviours, creating a more dynamic and welfare-focused environment for the bears living in captivity at LKWP,' SWD said. Meanwhile, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre founder Dr. Wong Siew Te in the same statement said sun bears are the smallest species of bears in the world, and yet they are among the most threatened, often falling victim to illegal wildlife trade. 'This exhibit not only provides a better living environment for the bears but also helps the public understand the urgent need for their conservation,' he said. Simon Marsh, Operations Manager at Wild Welfare, said it was inspiring to see LKWP taking important steps to improve animal welfare. 'Allowing sun bears to express their natural behaviours in captivity is crucial for their mental and physical well-being,' he said, adding that Wild Welfare would continue to support LKWP by providing training and technical advice to assist further improvements at the park. Currently, LKWP houses seven sun bears – three males and four females – most of whom were rescued from illegal ownership or voluntarily surrendered to the SWD. Since 2015, LKWP has successfully rehabilitated and released 13 sun bears back into the wild, reinforcing its critical role as a rescue and rehabilitation centre. The upgrading project, which began in January 2025 and concluded on April 24 (Thursday), was completed at a cost of RM230,000. The improvements provide a more naturalistic, engaging environment for the bears, while offering visitors a closer and more meaningful experience with one of Malaysia's most iconic wildlife species. The public is invited to visit the newly upgraded Sun Bear Exhibit. LKWP is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Come and witness the charm of Malaysia's beloved sun bears – the smallest bears in the world – and be part of their conservation journey. * 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
