CM’S LOST WORLD PLEDGE

TAWAU: The Maliau Basin will remain intact because of its pristine nature and high conservation value.

It is to remain untouched by any form of development that could compromise its environment.

“The state government’s stand is firm on this matter,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman told reporters after opening the Shell Maliau Basin Reception and Information Centre yesterday.

As such, he said the state government welcomed the collaboration between Shell and Yayasan Sabah to establish the centre.

“This is a significant occasion because this building will provide insightful information on Maliau Basin and create awareness on its high conservation value,” Musa added.

The Chief Minister said the efforts also signified the joint commitment among the stakeholders towards conserving Maliau Basin which was still largely unexplored.

“This initiative also complements our bid to list the area as a World Heritage Site,” he said, adding that ensuring the Maliau Basin environment remained undisturbed was crucial in getting the listing.

Earlier in his speech, Musa said this effort would help in promoting international support and partnership for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and its ecosystems.

“It certainly augurs for Sabah which is being promoted under the second home programme and its ecotourism industry is also being promoted internationally as a tropical destination icon,” he said.

He also said ensuring that Maliau remained intact reflected the government’s commitment towards sustainable management of resources.

“It also means this natural heritage will not be lost forever and remain conserved for the future generations, the same way we are benefiting from it today,” he said.

Conservation, he stressed, required in-depth knowledge, and by strengthening research on biodiversity and ecosystems “we will know how to effectively protect, use and disseminate the findings to the public”.

“We will continue to work together towards nature and biodiversity conservation, to ensure our beautiful and unique heritage of natural resources will continue to exist for a better tomorrow,” he said.

“And, with the increasing need to educate our society on nature and recognising the importance of public awareness on conserving nature, I am grateful for this facility and the generous contribution by Shell Malaysia.

‘We all have a shared obligation to make the people understand the human impact on nature,” he added.

Musa also said he would like to see the collaboration between Shell and Yayasan Sabah to continue.

“They have come a long way and have cooperated in many areas,” he said, hoping that this would pave the way for other corporate bodies and agencies to initiate joint collaborations with the government in global conservation and preservation through sustainable development practices.

Also present yesterday were Shell Malaysia chairman Saw Choo Boon and Yayasan Sabah director Tan Sri Datu Khalil Datu Jamalul.