Journalism

JOURNALISM

THE MANY VALUES OF THE PENANG HILL BIOSPHERE RESERVE

From hill to sea, Malaysia’s newest biosphere reserve in Penang promises opportunities to test ways to live sustainably. A photo essay.

In September, the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve joined seven other new Asia-Pacific listings in UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere programme. The programme aims to improve livelihoods and protect ecosystems by acknowledging “innovative approaches” to developing the economy in ways that are “socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable”.
Under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere programme, the aim is to improve livelihoods and protect ecosystems.

JOURNALISM

CUT, CARVED AND CLEARED: WHEN BIG FORESTS GO

How the largest excision in two decades transformed the environment, economy, and community.

Forest cleared for oil palm plantation in Jemaluang, Johor (Macaranga)
Forest cleared for oil palm plantation in Jemaluang, Johor (Macaranga)

JOURNALISM

FOREST MANAGEMENT IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA – YOU DECIDE

What matters in forest management, and which state does it well? A story built on 20 years of forestry data in Peninsular Malaysia.

Looking into Taman Negara atop Bukit Awan in Jerantut. Gunung Tahan rises in the distance.
Looking into Taman Negara atop Bukit Awan in Jerantut. Gunung Tahan rises in the distance. (Photo: SK Chong)

Related reports:

Primary forest loss percentage of states in Peninsular Malaysia, 2001--2019.
20 YEARS OF FORESTRY DATA
STATE FORESTRY DEPARTMENTS SHARE THEIR SUCCESSES

Reader’s Feedback: A Response to Macaranga’s Article on Forest Management in Peninsular Malaysia

JOURNALISM

TO SAVE SEAHORSES, CULTURE MATTERS

The fascinating seahorse can be a marine conservation and climate change icon. To get Malaysians on board, a researcher looks at cultural practices.

Dried seahorses have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries (Reana Ng)
Dried seahorses have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries (Reana Ng)

Translations:

JOURNALISM

Can Experts Save Malaysia’s Remaining Endangered Large Animals?

With Malaysia’s last Sumatran rhinoceros taking its final breath in 2019, conservationists are calling for serious intervention to reverse species decline.

Tembadau mother and calf in Sabah (BORA)
Can experts save Malaysia's remaining large animals? (Pic by BORA)

JOURNALISM

DEFORESTATION IN PAHANG EXARCEBATES ORANG ASLI LAND RIGHTS STRUGGLE

A plantation project in Pahang wants to clear almost 85km2 of primary forest. The Orang Asli who live on the site have been protesting the logging since 2019. But there are two letters signed by the illiterate villagers which purportedly show their support for the logging. What happened?

Adults and children Orang Asli at Kampung Mesau, Pahang.
Orang Asli at Kampung Mesau, Pahang, protest the logging around their homes. Rani (1st left), Sani (2nd left), Omar (seated center), Maarof (1st right). Photo by Aminah A/P Tan Kay Hoe.

Translations:

JOURNALISM

WHEN INVADERS MOVE IN ON BATU CAVES (AND THEY HAVE)

From flowering plants to butterflies , invasive species are taking over Batu Caves. This alarming threat to the fragile limestone ecosystem needs addressing.

Invasive species threaten plants like the keladi (foreground), discovered only 2 years ago and found only on Batu Caves, says limestone specialist Ruth Kiew. (SL Wong)
Invasive species threaten plants like the keladi (foreground), discovered only 2 years ago and found only on Batu Caves, says limestone specialist Ruth Kiew. (SL Wong)

JOURNALISM

CAN OIL PALM EXPLAIN THE LOWER FOREST LOSS HERE?

Last year, tropical forest loss increased worldwide but Malaysia cut down less than it did the previous year, the fourth year it has done so. What explains this good news?

A line chart showing annual primary forest loss in Malaysia, 2002-2020. After peaks before 2015, losses have been dropping.
Malaysia has been losing less primary forest since 2016. Art: YHLaw.

JOURNALISM

MUST THE PAN BORNEO HIGHWAY DISSECT THE TAWAI FOREST?

Funds and political support are reinvigorating the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah. But is there time to consider ways to mitigate its environmental and socioeconomic impact?

Pan Borneo Highway routes going through protected areas and forest reserves (Forever Sabah & LEAP)

JOURNALISM

TACKLING FISH-BOMBING AMONG THE CORAL REEFS OF SABAH​

With tourism hit by the pandemic and local people struggling to make ends meet, many fear a resurgence of fish-bombing.​

An unexploded, homemade fish bomb off the Mantanani islands, Sabah (Image: Adzmin Fatta / Reef Check Malaysia)
An unexploded, homemade fish bomb off the Mantanani islands, Sabah (Image: Adzmin Fatta / Reef Check Malaysia)

Chinese Translation: 遏制珊瑚礁间的炸鱼：沙巴州的故事

JOURNALISM

THE ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS TO END POLLUTION​

Are Malaysians fed up enough of river pollution to assert their environmental rights? Do they even know what these rights are?​

The Barchats: Envirorights webinars on environmental rights drew 435 lawyers and members of the public. (Facebook screenshot: Bar Council Committee on Environment and Climate Change)
The Barchats: Envirorights webinars on environmental rights drew 435 lawyers and members of the public. (Facebook screenshot: Bar Council Committee on Environment and Climate Change)

JOURNALISM

FOREST FILES: INVESTIGATING FOREST-USE IN MALAYSIA​

How much forest loss is too much? And are the drivers of this loss the same as in the past? Forest Files is a series that examines the dynamics and mechanics of forest-use changes in Malaysia. Our four-part In-Depth series focuses on Peninsular Malaysia, where more forests were lost in the last 30 years than in East Malaysia.

JOURNALISM

DISCOVERIES SUPPORT URGENT PROTECTION FOR BATU CAVES

Scientists make new findings, not necessarily all good, in the iconic Batu Caves, confirming its status as a natural treasure.​

Collecting Epithema parvibracteatum, endemic to Batu Caves and critically endangered; Ruth Kiew is second from left; Nur Atiqah Abd Rahman is on the left. (SL Wong)
Collecting Epithema parvibracteatum, endemic to Batu Caves and critically endangered; Ruth Kiew is second from left; Nur Atiqah Abd Rahman is on the left. (SL Wong)

JOURNALISM

HOW TO FIT A 15-STOREY HOTEL IN FRASER'S HILL​

Planners are drafting a new plan for Fraser’s Hill, an environmentally sensitive area. How should development proceed there?​

The iconic clocktower greets visitors to Fraser's Hill.
The iconic clocktower greets visitors to Fraser's Hill. (Pashmina Binwani)

JOURNALISM

WHAT CONSERVATIONISTS WANT IN BUDGET 2021​

Malaysian conservationists share their concerns and what they wish to see in Budget 2021.​

Malaysian conservationists rank what they wish to see in Budget 2021
Malaysian conservationists rank what they wish to see in Budget 2021

JOURNALISM

TAKING STOCK OF THE ENVIRONMENT​

In 2020, Malaysia's environmental sectors are being challenged by the Covid-19 crisis and a new government who has yet to set direction. Macaranga takes stock of impacts and solutions.​

Bat Researchers in Batu Caves - Pic by SL Wong
Bat Researchers in Batu Caves (SL Wong)

‘TAKING STOCK’ REPORTS

JOURNALISM

RACING TO SAVE A PLANTATION OF RARE TREES

The bulldozing of millions of rainforest trees in a private plantation has raised the profile of the value of gene banks for conservation.

A plantation of rare trees in Perak is being bulldozed (Credit: YH Law)
Penawar Hutan’s Sheila Ramasamy (left) showing the Perak Menteri Besar’s press secretary, Adie Suri bin Zulkefli (right) parts of the bulldozed plantation on February 24, 2020. (LawYH)

JOURNALISM

A FINAL HOME FOR LYNAS' WASTE?

Lynas Malaysia has located a site in Pahang to build a permanent disposal facility for its radioactive waste. But what is a permanent disposal facility?

Lynas Advanced Material Plant, Gebeng Industrial Park (Photo: YH Law)
Lynas Advanced Material Plant, Gebeng Industrial Park, Pahang, Malaysia. Photo taken March 11, 2019. Credit: LawYH

JOURNALISM

IN DEFENCE OF ORANG ASLI RIGHTS

The first ever legal action taken by the Malaysian federal government on behalf of Orang Asli regarding land rights is crucial pursuit of environmental justice.

The Pos Simpor Orang Asli community at the Kota Bharu High Court hearing in July of the application by the Kelantan state government to strike out the AG’s suit (Photo courtesy of Siti Kasim)
The Pos Simpor Orang Asli community at the Kota Bharu High Court hearing in July of the application by the Kelantan state government to strike out the AG’s suit (Photo courtesy of Siti Kasim)

JOURNALISM

THE LYNAS LICENCE RENEWAL: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Macaranga unpacks the three conditions attached to Lynas Malaysia's 6-month operating license renewal.

Lynas Advanced Material Plant, Kuantan. Dec 2018. Credit: Save Malaysia Stop Lynas
Lynas Advanced Material Plant, Kuantan. Dec 2018. Credit: Save Malaysia Stop Lynas

JOURNALISM

ICCB: ALL THINGS CONSERVATION

From singing gibbons to plastic pollution and registration fees, Macaranga covered the major international meeting of conservationists in July 2019.

Roslan Carang, Param bin Pura and Hadi bin Mes ICCB 2019 (Photo: SL Wong)
Roslan Carang, Param bin Pura and Hadi bin Mes presenting at the panel on ‘Indigenous Perspectives on Conservation Biology and Community Development’. Credit: SL Wong

OVERVIEW  I  IN-DEPTH  I OPINION

ALL ICCB REPORTS

JOURNALISM

ILLEGAL EXPORT OF BLUE-LEGGED TARANTULA HIGHLIGHTS BIOPIRACY WOES

The dubious means by which tarantulas end up in scientists’ hands is cause for alarm.

Tarantula - Simoroxigorum birupes (Photo: Chien C. Lee)
Tarantula - Simoroxigorum birupes (Photo: Chien C. Lee)

JOURNALISM

CONSERVING NEW MALAYSIA

What is Malaysia's new government doing in terms of reform in conservation policy and laws?

Niah National Park (photo: SL Wong)

Part I: Making commitments

Sungai Sendat Forest Park (Photo: SL Wong)

Part II: Meeting challenges

A Malaysian Environmental Journalism Site