Latest news with #RM80
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
3,000 community rangers to strengthen forest and wildlife protection
GEORGE TOWN: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) will increase the number of community rangers to 3,000 this year under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3), to curb illegal activities involving wildlife and forests. NRES secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo said the new appointments, comprising mainly members of the Orang Asli community as well as veterans of the armed forces and police, aim to strengthen protection efforts against encroachment in permanent forest reserves nationwide. "With the RM80 million allocation received this year, we plan to appoint up to 3,000 community rangers. "The impact has been positive so far, with reports indicating a clear reduction in illegal activities, especially poaching," he told reporters after launching the Jelajah Kelestarian Alam 2.0 programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday. "BP3 enables us to monitor forests more effectively and combat threats such as encroachment, illegal logging and poaching," he added. The programme, jointly organised by NRES, the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation and the Department of Environment (DOE), drew over 250 participants, including USM vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamed and DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. Meanwhile, Ching urged residents affected by wildlife disturbances that damage property or crops to apply for the Property and Crop Damage Compensation (BKHT). He said RM10 million was allocated for the programme last year, but only 10 percent was disbursed due to the low number of applications. "BKHT was introduced last year to assist victims facing significant losses due to human-wildlife conflicts. "The initiative will continue this year with an additional RM1.5 million," he said. He said the ministry is reviewing a proposal to increase the BKHT payout rate from 50 percent to 60 percent of the reported damages to better support affected individuals. "Based on records, most of these claims involve elephant-related damages, especially in Johor, Kelantan and Pahang. "There are also reports involving monkeys, though to a lesser extent," he said. – Bernama
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Magma's losses widen, revenue falls in Q1
KUALA LUMPUR: Magma Group Bhd's net loss widened in the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2025 due to higher corporate-related and capital restructuring expenses. The company recorded a net loss of RM6.9 million for the quarter, compared to RM4.27 million in the same period last year, as revenue declined 8.5 per cent to RM6.3 million from RM6.9 million, according to a bourse filing. Its revenue from the hotel operation segment amounted to RM5.73 million, lower than RM6.29 million a year earlier. Meanwhile, the hotel management segment posted revenue of RM609,000, down from RM636,000 previously. In a statement, Magma said it has completed the acquisition of a 0.9-hectare plot in Mont Kiara valued at RM80 million and balance sheet restructuring. The land is slated for future commercial development and positions Magma for long-term growth in the urban property segment. The company also entered into a joint venture with Chagee (M) Sdn Bhd that will spearhead the expansion of Chagee's retail presence nationwide while introducing curated tea experiences that align with evolving consumer trends. Magma group managing director cum group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Thomas Liang Chee Fong said while Q1 results reflect transitional headwinds, the completion of land acquisition and strategic partnership with Chagee mark a meaningful shift in corporate narrative. "We are repositioning Magma as a forward-looking hospitality and lifestyle group, leveraging our core strengths to unlock new revenue streams, strengthen brand equity and align with the evolving Malaysian consumer. "With a stronger foundation now in place, we see compelling opportunities to scale recurring income across hospitality, food and beverage and property in a sustainable and value-accretive manner," he added.
Barnama
4 days ago
- General
- Barnama
NRES To Deploy 3,000 Community Rangers To Enhance Forest And Wildlife Protection
GEORGE TOWN, May 29 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) will increase the number of community rangers to 3,000 this year under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3), to curb illegal activities involving wildlife and forests. NRES secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo said the new appointments, comprising mainly members of the Orang Asli community as well as veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police, aim to strengthen protection efforts against encroachment in permanent forest reserves nationwide. 'With the RM80 million allocation received this year, we plan to appoint up to 3,000 community rangers. The impact has been positive so far, with reports indicating a clear reduction in illegal activities, especially poaching,' he told reporters after launching the Jelajah Kelestarian Alam 2.0 programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today. 'BP3 enables us to monitor forests more effectively and combat threats such as encroachment, illegal logging and poaching,' he added. The programme, jointly organised by NRES, the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation and the Department of Environment (DOE), drew over 250 participants, including USM vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamed and DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. Meanwhile, Ching urged residents affected by wildlife disturbances that damage property or crops to apply for the Property and Crop Damage Compensation (BKHT). He said RM10 million was allocated for the programme last year, but only 10 percent was disbursed due to the low number of applications. 'BKHT was introduced last year to assist victims facing significant losses due to human-wildlife conflicts. The initiative will continue this year with an additional RM1.5 million,' he said. He added that the ministry is reviewing a proposal to increase the BKHT payout rate from 50 percent to 60 percent of the reported damages to better support affected individuals.
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
NRES to deploy 3,000 community rangers to enhance forest and wildlife protection
GEORGE TOWN: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) will increase the number of community rangers to 3,000 this year under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3), to curb illegal activities involving wildlife and forests. NRES secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo said the new appointments, comprising mainly members of the Orang Asli community as well as veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police, aim to strengthen protection efforts against encroachment in permanent forest reserves nationwide. 'With the RM80 million allocation received this year, we plan to appoint up to 3,000 community rangers. The impact has been positive so far, with reports indicating a clear reduction in illegal activities, especially poaching,' he told reporters after launching the Jelajah Kelestarian Alam 2.0 programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today. 'BP3 enables us to monitor forests more effectively and combat threats such as encroachment, illegal logging and poaching,' he added. The programme, jointly organised by NRES, the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation and the Department of Environment (DOE), drew over 250 participants, including USM vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamed and DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. Meanwhile, Ching urged residents affected by wildlife disturbances that damage property or crops to apply for the Property and Crop Damage Compensation (BKHT). He said RM10 million was allocated for the programme last year, but only 10 percent was disbursed due to the low number of applications. 'BKHT was introduced last year to assist victims facing significant losses due to human-wildlife conflicts. The initiative will continue this year with an additional RM1.5 million,' he said. He added that the ministry is reviewing a proposal to increase the BKHT payout rate from 50 percent to 60 percent of the reported damages to better support affected individuals. 'Based on records, most of these claims involve elephant-related damages, especially in Johor, Kelantan and Pahang. There are also reports involving monkeys, though to a lesser extent,' he said.
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
NRES boosts ranger force to 3,000 for forest protection
GEORGE TOWN: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) will increase the number of community rangers to 3,000 this year under the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme (BP3), to curb illegal activities involving wildlife and forests. NRES secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo said the new appointments, comprising mainly members of the Orang Asli community as well as veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police, aim to strengthen protection efforts against encroachment in permanent forest reserves nationwide. 'With the RM80 million allocation received this year, we plan to appoint up to 3,000 community rangers. The impact has been positive so far, with reports indicating a clear reduction in illegal activities, especially poaching,' he told reporters after launching the Jelajah Kelestarian Alam 2.0 programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today. 'BP3 enables us to monitor forests more effectively and combat threats such as encroachment, illegal logging and poaching,' he added. The programme, jointly organised by NRES, the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation and the Department of Environment (DOE), drew over 250 participants, including USM vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamed and DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. Meanwhile, Ching urged residents affected by wildlife disturbances that damage property or crops to apply for the Property and Crop Damage Compensation (BKHT). He said RM10 million was allocated for the programme last year, but only 10 percent was disbursed due to the low number of applications. 'BKHT was introduced last year to assist victims facing significant losses due to human-wildlife conflicts. The initiative will continue this year with an additional RM1.5 million,' he said. He added that the ministry is reviewing a proposal to increase the BKHT payout rate from 50 percent to 60 percent of the reported damages to better support affected individuals. 'Based on records, most of these claims involve elephant-related damages, especially in Johor, Kelantan and Pahang. There are also reports involving monkeys, though to a lesser extent,' he said.
