1 Oct 2024: In this wrap-up of environmental news in Malaysia, we look at why environmental and rights groups are calling on the EU to classify Sarawak as “high risk” under new EUDR anti-deforestation regulations.

We also covered how the trial of the first perpetrators accused of rhino horn smuggling in Malaysia heard of a car chase by PERHILITAN to apprehend them.

In another court case, the Semai of Ulu Geruntum, Perak savoured victory against hydropower companies constructing a dam on their customary land.

9 September 2024: Ouch, the law! Covering court can be daunting for journalists with no law background – and even for those with legal training. We addressed that head-on in our workshop, ‘Covering Wildlife in Court’, held from 4–6 Sept.

And it worked! Before the workshop, 9 out of 12 participants said their confidence level was 5/10 or below when it came to covering trials. After two-and-a-half days of  media training and writing, that flipped: 8 out of 10 participants rated their confidence levels above 5!

Specifically, though, the skills training is to better tackle stories on wildlife crime. The over-exploitation of nature is one of the five leading causes of biodiversity loss in Malaysia and globally.

As such, the Macaranga Mentorship on Covering Wildlife Trade and Crime in Malaysia project over the next year seeks to explore issues as drivers of over-exploitation, right up to how courts are sentencing wildlife crimes.

The project involves this workshop and a months-long mentorship by Macaranga to produce long-form stories. It also involves a youth component, whereby we continue our collaboration with YUFE to produce social media content on this topic.

This court-focussed workshop was organised by Macaranga and hosted by TRAFFIC Southeast Asia. The workshop lead was  Macaranga‘s Siew Lyn, the wildlife trade and crime component was delivered by TRAFFIC’s Elizabeth John and court reporting veteran Shaila Koshy patiently went through the steps on how to cover court. Thanks also to Justice for Wildlife Malaysia for your participation.

The ‘Macaranga Mentorship on Wildlife Trade and Crime in Malaysia’ project is supported by Internews Earth Journalism Network.

27 August 2024: Fierce is the word for the young people who participated in the on-boarding workshop for the next phase of our #YUFExMacaranga collaboration starting this month.

The gang is ready to take on wildlife trade and crime in conjunction with Macaranga‘s year-long multi-newroom project on the same theme.

Their objective is to use social media to amplify efforts in combating wildlife crime and promote conservation awareness in Malaysia.

Keep your eye out for these posts!

This project is supported by Internews Earth Journalism Network. With thanks to Elizabeth John from TRAFFIC Southeast Asia for giving an overview of wildlife trade and crime.

[The above image comprises slides from 3 draft posts created in a blistering 15 minutes. Below are some of the #YUFExMacaranga collab posts from the last year, which were based on Macaranga stories.]

28 August 2024: We had a blast on 17 August at Rimba Ilmu‘s 50th anniversary. Humbled to be among the speakers at the terrific Sunda Shelves talks – the space was packed! Thrilled to meet our Macaranga Supporters, answer all questions and share why we do what we do. Thanks to all new member signups!

Our fellow speakers were @theroyalbelum‘s Lau Ching Fong who shared the chilling effect of poaching on tigers and their prey, while @Tshen18 mesmerised with his hunt of Sabah elephant ancestry proof. Many thanks to Sunda Shelves. A great way to celebrate Rimbal Ilmu at 50.

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.