Littering Problems Cost Sabah Parks RM10,000 Every Month

Sabah Parks have to spend approximately RM10,000 each month to clean up the rubbish largely from mainland Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

The littering problem is affecting the local tourism and the State is struggling to counter this matter in order improve its tourism receipt, said Sabah Parks Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Tengku Adlin.

Adlin said awareness campaigns are not full proof measures to solve the problem, however the enforcement of penalising the litterbugs could help to to curb the problem.

The public will be notified at least six months ahead before the authorities can take action.

The culprits must be taken to court so that they can learn a lesson, he added.

Read More

Sandakan Marine Police Seized 8,000 Turtle Eggs

 

8,000 turtle eggs have been seized in the waters of Kuala Batu 2 near Sandakan when the Marine Police foiled a smuggling attempt from a neighbouring country, last Thursday.

The Marine Police discovered a speeding boat in the area during a patrol at 4.45 am accoording to Sandakan Marine Police Operations Camp Commanding Officer, ASP Amran Che Mat Noor.

Amran said the boat crew abandoned the vessel and escaped into a nearby mangrove swamp leaving behind 16 sacks containing 8,000 smuggled turtle eggs meant for the local market.

The eggs have been handed over to the Wildlife Department for further action, he added.

Members of the public is urged to help combat such smuggling activities by providing relevant information to Sandakan Marine Police office via 089-221423/221424/221453.

Read More

Major shutdown of Moyog water plant on Tuesday

There will be a major shutdown of the Moyog water treatment plant on July 2, from 8am to 10pm, due to flushing raw water pipeline from Babagon Dam to the Moyog plant. 

The shutdown will reduce water production by 40 per cent (60 MLD). 

The affected areas will include Inanam, Kolombong, Likas, Luyang, KK Central Business District, Karamunsing, Sembulan, Tanjung Aru, Kepayan, all Penampang areas, Petagas and Putatan. 

For enquiries, call the 24-hour-Hotline 088-711 767. 

Source: Daily Express

Read More

DOE: Haze situation in Sabah improves but refrain from open burning

No hotspots have been detected in Sabah as the haze situation improved, Department of Environment (DOE) said yesterday.

 

In a statement its state office said the air quality in Kota Kinabalu and Keningau read 66 API (Air Pollution Index) and 52 respectively as of 10am.

Tawau registered a reading of 40 while Sandakan is at 55. The reading of 50 API is good while the index of 51-100 is moderate.

Nevertheless, the DOE wants the public not to carry out any open burning and to assist the authorities in putting out small fires or contact the fire and rescue department if there is an uncontrolled burning.

It reminded the public that under Section 29A of the Natural Surrounding Quality Act 1974, it is prohibited to carry out any form of open burning except those that are accepted.

A maximum fine of RM2,000 can be imposed on offenders and if the offenders are found guilty by the court, they can face a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term of up to five years or both.

Source: New Sabah Times

Read More

Toyota Eco Youth adopts SM St Michael to promote environmental programmes

Toyota Eco Youth has adopted SM St Michael to execute their environmental programmes. 
 

Students from the school will represent Toyota in creating eco-awareness among schools throughout the state by using professional methods to address environmental issues.

A team of students and teachers of the school have formed the World Wise team which will ensure the cleanliness of a drain stretching a few hundred metres along the Penampang-Tambunan Road near the St Michael roundabout.

The launch of the team was followed by a ‘gotong-royong’ of students and teachers who cleared the drain and placed mudballs containing natural bacteria in the waterway to clear the drain water of pollutants.

Also participating in the event were the school principal, Super Principal Marie Yong Pik Hua and former Moyog assemblyman, Datuk Phillip Lasimbang.

Marie said the team found that the drain was clogged up with garbage and other effluent due to indiscriminate littering.

“These included oil from nearby households, plastic bags, cardboard boxes and even animal carcass,” she said.

The team managed to collect a total of 292.6 kg of trash along the drain from the Futsal Centre near the roundabout to the Cash and Carry Furniture store.

Source: New Sabah Times

Read More