16 Dec 2024: We looked back at Macaranga’s stories in 2024 in this Annual Wrap-Up on the Earth Matters segment on BFM89.9FM Radio. We went from the local to global, linking our stories on deforestation of peat swamp forests, social media wildlife pet trade, and dumpsites to global dynamics of rising carbon emissions, illegal wildlife trade, and the climate crisis.
There were encouraging stories too, such as wins on mapping important areas for conservation of conservation of sharks and rays, and Sabah’s 10-year mangrove action plan.
Recording a show on Selangor rivers at BFM89.9. From left: Kennedy Michael, Law Yao Hua, and Chen Yih Wen. Credit: Juliet Jacobs.
11 Dec 2024: In this Earth Matters segment on BFM89.9FM Radio, we discuss the links between Selangor’s costly water cuts and the health of its rivers. The state government’s aims to protect all its river banks as reserves — could that work?
The show featured journalists Chen Yih Wen and Law Yao Hua, and Kennedy Michael, co-founder of Alliance of River Three (ART!). Produced by Juliet Jacobs on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.
Left: WIth BFM producer Juliet Jacobs (top left): Liani MK, SL Wong and Charles Bong; RIght: DID officers and consultants inspecting a drain to be widened under a flood mitigation project (Pic: Arieff Zafir)
12 November 2024: In this Earth Matters segment on BFM89.9FM Radio, we focus on how floods have been worsening in Kuching due to woefully outdated drainage.
But there are technological and funding solutions, say Assoc Prof Dr Charles Bong (urban drainage management researcher, UNIMAS), Liani MK (journalist), and Macaranga’s Wong Siew Lyn. Produced by Juliet Jacobs on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.
29 Oct 2024: October’s environmental news includes what civil society are doing to encourage folks to feed back on Malaysia’s long-awaited Climate Change Bill.
We also cover how it it is important to monitor poaching when mining operations are carried out within or close to protected areas, which is where Perhilitan and Op Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK) come in.
17 October 2024: Malaysia has new 10 Important Shark and Ray Areas, (ISRAs), critical habitats identified as critical for the conservation of shark and ray species based on scientific criteria.
To dissect the meaning of this new list are scientists Serena Adam (Marine Conservation Officer, WWF-Malaysia, member of the IUCN), Assoc. Prof. Dr Amy Then (Senior Lecturer, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya), and Macarang’s Wong Siew Lyn (right to left in photo above). Produced by Juliet Jacobs on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.
17 October 2024: The Mak Jintan peat swamp forest in Terengganu is the last known virgin peat swamp in Peninsular Malaysia. When plans emerged to convert it into an oil palm plantation, it sparked significant concern among scientists, conservationists, and even an industry regulator.
Macaranga journalist Law Yao Hua speaks to Juliet Jacobs about the impact of this on biodiversity, carbon storage and water regulation on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.
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.
Veteran jouranlist Shaila Koshy (right) brings journalists through the intricacies of covering court. (SL Wong)
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.
Participants and trainers in Macaranga’s Wildlife in Court Workshop (SL Wong)
Opening slides of draft posts and reels produced by ‘Ariff Amir Ali, Chok Jia Xuan and Dhivya Nair of YUFE
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.]
Macaranga team at the Sunda Talks, Rimba Ilmu’s 50th Anniversary (Sunda Shelves)
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.
Lau Ching Fong from Royal Belum shows a chart of the reduction in tiger numbers at the Sunda Talks at Rimba Ilmu’s 50th anniversary. (Pic: SL Wong)
Lim Tze Tshen shows the range of Sabah elephants on a map of Kalimantan at the Sunda Talks at Rimba Ilmu’s 50th anniversary. (Pic: SL Wong)
A Malaysian Environmental Journalism Site
Like our stories?
You can help us do more. Sign up to be a Macaranga Supporter by 21 Aug for extra goodies!