27 August 2024: Last month’s news include an integrity study on the Tawai Forest Reserve conducted by the Sabah Forestry Department. It confirmed the uniqueness and importance of this forest reserve. Interestingly, the study was published 7 months after the Sabah state government announced that the Pan-Borneo Highway would dissect this forest.

In other news, orangutans will remain in the country after all, when the Plantations and Commodities Minister reversed an earlier decision to send them out to palm oil-supporting countries in Giant panda-type diplomacy.

Finally, the Bar Council warns that the proposed constitutional amendment to move Orang Asli matters from Federal to Concurrent list “can result in potential confusion, disputes and delays in efficient administration of these matters”, calls for ensuring informed consent on this from Orang Asli.

29 July 2024: In the news a lot recently is carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). For one, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli announced that the government has identified the petroleum states of Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak as potential leaders in this technology to store carbon. Meanwhile, MIDF Amanah Investment Bank has put RM7.7 mil into CCUS R&D for the metal sector. What’s going on?

We also cover massive recent tiger loss due to roadkill and the devastating floods in Penampang, Sabah.

29 July 2024: Problematic forest plantations prompted Malaysia to call for a 15-year moratorium on new projects in Peninsular Malaysia. But states are still licensing planters to clear new sites. Why?

Macaranga journalist Law Yao Hua and environmental activist Meor Razak bin Meor Abdul Rahman, (Sahabat Ekologi Perak) discuss what happened since the moratorium was announced, and the impacts of forest plantations on local communities, flora and fauna. Produced by Juliet Jacobs, ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.

Based on our #LadangHutan2 series.

28 June 2024: Our June wrapup covers the mother elephant and her 3 calves that were allegedly poisoned in an area cleared for farming in Kluang, Johor.

We also discuss findngs that Malaysians consume the most microplastics among 10 countries. Half of the consumed amount is from fish. Is the solution the tackling of plastic production?

And Malaysia is on track to meeting its goal of planting 100 million trees, with 89.9 million planted as of June. But to avoid allegations of greenwashing, there is a need for transparency and third-party auditing.

28 Jun 2024:  When birds disappear from back mangroves, it is a warning that the whole mangrove forest could be in trouble. This feature explores the interdependence of these feathered friends and this coastal ecosystem, including why the latter should be allowed to ‘grow’ landward. This podcast features the three authors of this feature, Listen to the Birds to Save Mangroves: Ashley Yeong, Amar-Singh HSS and SL Wong.

The piece is a collaboration with the Malaysian Bird Report.

28 Jun 2024: We’ve been busy with various bits of outreach and training. Among engagement with different stakeholders have been inputs into the national planetary health policy, and energy transition. Also:

>> Workshop: Data Journalism 

On June 10, Yao Hua conducted a 3-hour workshop for 20 media students at New Era University College, Kajang. He guided the students to find, analyse, and visualise data on abandoned housing projects.

>> Investigating Infrastructure Projects

On May 9—11, Siew Lyn and Yao Hua joined other trainers in a 3-day workshop on investigative journalism focused on infrastructure. Most of the 20 participants were journalists. Organised by Malaysiakini and funded by the Earth Journalism Network, Siew Lyn will be a mentor for story writing for the next 6 months.

>> Open mic, a first for Yao Hua

To promote Macaranga, Yao Hua took to the stage for a 5-minute open mic session at Pesta Bumi Kita on 28 April. Yao Hua can’t write poetry and his stand-up comedy is what others would call tragedy,  so he just spoke about the fears and joy of being an environment journalist.

>> Workshop: Communicating Climate Stories

Yao Hua conducted a workshop for around 15 journalists on telling climate stories in more effective ways. The workshop on 27 April was the first in a series organised by Klima Action Malaysia. Other speakers included Dr Zeliha Zaiton and Dr Renato Lima.

A month later, Siew Lyn participated in the second workshop on energy policies.

28 Jun 2024: “Garbage juice” or leachate, heavy metal contamination, rising sea-levels and the heightened risk of landfill fires underscore the urgent need for comprehensive waste management strategies. Juliet Jacobs on BFM 89.9 Radio talks to Macaranga‘s Ashley Yeong and SL Wong along with environmental and waste management consultant Geetha P Kumaran.

Based on Macaranga‘s feature Floods, Rising Seas Make Dumps More Dangerous.

28 June 2024: In the May, we look back at new research that throws light on dolphins in Kedah/Perlis, pangolins in Sabah, and sunbears, also in Sabah.

Rather than the proposed ‘orangutan diplomacy’ to promote sustainable palm oil, perhaps enforcing no-deforestation palm oil would work better.

Finally, the court ruled that the Temiars of Kampung Cunex in Gerik, Perak can claim the settled and occupied areas in their customary territory as their ‘tanah adat’. Unfortunately, the larger surrounding forest is excluded.