Set up marine education centre in Semporna – rep

 

SEMPORNA: Sulabayan assemblyman Datuk Dr Haji Jaujan Sambakong has suggested a marine education centre be set up in Semporna to further enhance the growth of marine education and research work here.

He said the marine education centre would be a teaching and resource centre for the local community as well as visiting researchers.

“It will be a resource bank where results of marine researches, studies, historical background and culture can be stored for use by the local community to learn and be educated.

“It will also be a research centre for marine scientists from Malaysia and overseas, as well as a tourist centre where visitors can learn more about the wealth of marine life in the region,” he said during a recent event hosted by WWF-Malaysia in appreciation of the support for the conservation work it was doing in the region.

Also present were representatives from Semporna District Office, Sabah Parks, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Fisheries Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Semporna District Education Office, Semporna District Mosque, Semporna District Library, Persatuan Wanita Pulau Omadal (WAPO), Green Semporna volunteers, Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) and head of villages from the island communities, and representatives from the tourism industry and schools.

WWF-Malaysia’s Conservation director, Dr Sundari Ramakrishna, welcomed the proposal to set up a marine education centre in Semporna.

“This is a noble idea. WWF-Malaysia has been advocating community engagement and education for local communities and green tourism. The centre will go a long way in support of the marine conservation work that we are involved in here,” said Dr Sundari.

The event also included a presentation on WWF-Malaysia’s work in Semporna Priority Conservation Area by its deputy manager of Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion Programme, Monique Sumampouw, and an introductory talk on the work of Persatuan Wanita Pulau Omadal in marine conservation by its head, Roziah bte Jalalip.

Handicrafts made from Pandanus leaves found on Omadal island were also exhibited as alternatives to sustainable income for fishing communities in the region where poverty is a great threat to fight against. TheBorneoPost

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Semporna: Solar power project 70% ready

Soon, residents in remote islands off Semporna will enjoy 24-hour electricity supply.

Works to supply electricity using solar power in seven islands in Semporna is currently 70% completed and is expected to be ready by the middle of 2013. This is according to Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Islands off Semporna

Semporna is populated by about 137,800 people (2010 census) with majority of them Bajau, many of whom live in stilt villages over the water on the outskirts of the township. Tourists visit Semporna as a base for scuba diving or snorkeling trips to Pulau Sipadan (Sipadan Island) , Pulau Mabul (Mabul Island), and others. Some of the better known islands off Semporna include:

1.   Sipadan island
2.   Mabul island
3.   Mataking island
4.   Kapala island
5.   Sibuan island
6.   Bum Bum island
7.   Pom Pom island
8.   Bohey Dulang island
9.   Si Amil island
10. Mantabuan island

The solar power project costing RM94 million will benefit not only the residents, but also schools involving at least 10,000 students. Solar PV was chosen as energy source as the islands are too far to lay sea cables from the mainland.

Here are some eye teasers:

Sipadan island is a globally renowned diving spot. Photo: Passage 2 Jay Bee

Mabul island is also famous for its diving activities. Photo: themyec.com

Mataking island. Photo: divezone

Many, many places to satiate your diving fantasy. For the non-divers, go for sight seeing and unwind yourself at the world class resorts available at all of the more popular islands.


Source: http://www.thegreenmechanics.com/2012/08/semporna-solar-power-project-70-ready.html

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Sabah's US $1bil lobster project among the 10 new EPPs

Sabah lobsters for global mart

 The Biotechnology Implementation Council meeting identified 10 Entry Point Projects (EPPs) specifically to boost the national biotechnology sector, which will create 20 trigger projects that can increase gross national revenue to Rm3.6 billion, besides creating 13,600 high quality new job opportunities.

PM Datuk Seri Najib said the biotechnology sectors current achievement has been very encouraging. Under the phase two of the National Biotechnology Policy implementation between 2011 and 2015 with the focus to turn biotechnology industries toward business and commercialization, there are achievements that had surpassed the set target, he said.

Under the second phase, investments attracted by biotechnology industries have touched Rm12.7 billion, far exceeding the Rm9 billion target set for 2015, while for the 80,000 new job target by 2015, the number has reached 64,753, he told a media conference after chairing the council meeting.

Najib said Tuesday's meeting also decided that the Biotechnology Implementation Council be renamed as the National Bioeconomy council because the bioeconomy terminology is seen to be more comprehensive than biotechnology. The biotechnology sector's meteoric growth has created a new industry in the country, he said, citing the example of Gebo Inc, which will invest Rm1.69 billion to build a plant that will produce biochemical derivative products, biomaterial and biofuel.

"This project will turn Jerantut into a world's caviar production centre, an initiative that was beyond our imagination all these while, but now this project will be implemented via I-Caviar involving Rm475 million over five years." "This an example of how with the technological applications, we can bring big changes to an area where we cannot bring much development."

"We can also introduce a new industry that is not indigenous to our country. This is very meaningful example on how biotechological development has a lot of positive impact on our country," he said. Najib also said an American company will invest US $1 billion in an integrated lobster aquaculture project in Semporna, Sabah.

He said the company, operating a chain of restaurants under the "Red Lobster" brand name, has identified Semporna and Lahad Datu waters as suitable to breed lobsters on a commercial scale. They will rope in locals as " contract farmers" who are expected to earn Rm3,000 to Rm4,000 a month, he said.

"The parties involved in this project will receive guaranteed orders and the lobsters harvested will be exported to the international market. This is an example of how the strength that we have like the rich biodiversity and the unpolluted natural environment can be tapped to our advantage via biotechological applications," he said.

The PM said the federal government will cooperate with the Sarawak Government to conduct R&D to breed "ikan empurau" on a big scale in the state. He said ikan empurau, which can fetch Rm1,000 a kg, is among the most expensive fish species in the world, but nevertheless its production was limited.

"When we conduct R&D and start to breed high quality fish species, we can guarantee continuous supply. This will provide good income to villagers whose earnings were limited previously," he said.

Najib also said the meeting today decided to change the policy to help BioNexus SME companies in the country. Based on feedback from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, incentives in the form of loans, to a maximum RM3 million with five per cent interest, are found to be not very beneficial, he said.

"As a government that listens to feedback, the people's voice and industries' views, the council decided to change the policy to a RM1 million maximum grant and RM2 million loan to a maximum RM3 million limit."

" The decision was made instantly and I hope it will provide the stimulus and a strong impetus to the industries to apply to categorize the companies as BioNexus. The decision will have an impact on the biotechnology companies' growth in the country," he said.

Najib said the meeting also decided that funding for R&D programmes as was announced in the 2013 Budget, including Rm600 million for research universities, can be utilised to register intellectual properties that have the potential to be commercialised.

" We were told that many R&D findings cannot be patented or registered as an Intellectual Property (IP) because the fund cannot be used for the purpose. So, I believe today's decision will spur more R&D findings from universities to be patented. This will facilitate other parties, including Malaysia Innovation Agency, to participate in open bidding with a view to commercialise," he added.

Source: Daily Express

Photo: Insight Sabah

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