Remarks

Environmental practitioners share their views here. If you have a burning issue or a heart-warming tale, pitch us: editorial@macaranga.org

REMARKS

The Real Meaning of ‘Water is Life’

"We might think that because we do not see the rivers or we see them as big drains, that they are no longer relevant to us."

~ Kennedy Michael

Raw water is carried through main supply pipes from the Klang Gates Dam to the water treatment plants in Wangsa Maju and Bukit Nanas (Alliance for River Three)
Raw water is carried through main supply pipes from the Klang Gates Dam to the water treatment plants in Wangsa Maju and Bukit Nanas (Alliance for River Three)

REMARKS

No Fiercer Tiger Defender Than Kae

"To survive in this field, we need eternal optimists who can balance hope and pragmatism."

~ Wong Pui May

Kae Kawanishi with PERHILITAN rangers in Taman Negara (Kae Kawanishi)
Kae Kawanishi with PERHILITAN rangers in Taman Negara (Kae Kawanishi)

REMARKS

What Happens After Poachers Are Arrested?

"An arrest is almost always only the first step towards reclaiming justice for wildlife in Malaysia."

~ Nor Arlina Amirah Ahmad Ghani

Prosecution and sentencing need to be strengthened when offenders reach the court, such as this Environmental Court in the Temerloh High, Session, and Magistrate Court | Pic by Nor Arlina Amirah for Justice for Wildlife Malaysia
Prosecution and sentencing need to be strengthened when offenders reach the court, such as this Environmental Court in the Temerloh High, Session, and Magistrate Court | Pic by Nor Arlina Amirah for Justice for Wildlife Malaysia

REMARKS

Lapangan Terbang Baru Tioman Perlu Difikirkan Semula

"Sekiranya lapangan terbang ini dijayakan, industri pelancongan di Pulau Tioman akan mati dengan serta-merta."

~ Suhaimi Awang

Dari laut ke hutan, daya tarikan paling penting Tioman ialah alam sekitarnya. (Suhaimi Awang)
Dari laut ke hutan, daya tarikan paling penting Tioman ialah alam sekitarnya. | Gambar oleh Suhaimi Awang)

REMARKS

NOW OR NEVER FOR MALAYSIAN CORAL REEFS

"Climate change has become the grim reaper of coral reefs."

~ Sebastian Szereday

Mass coral bleaching can result in nothing but dead coral rubble. | Pic by Atkinson Tan for Coralku
Mass coral bleaching can result in nothing but dead coral rubble. | Pic by Atkinson Tan for Coralku

REMARKS

PLASTICS IN THE BODY A WORRYING TREND

"If microplastics appear in stools, would they be found in the bowels? Yes they would."

~ Lee Yong Yeh

Plastic is entering human bodies when we consume water and seafood. Marine plastic pollution must be tackled, beach cleanups being one way. | Pic by SL Wong
Plastic is entering human bodies when we consume water and seafood. Marine plastic pollution must be tackled, beach cleanups being one way. | Pic by SL Wong

REMARKS

EMPOWER THE DEWAN TO SAFEGUARD FOREST RESERVES

"State Excos have sole authority over forest reserves, leaving the public and civil society powerless over these matters."

~ Teckwyn Lim

A scanned copy of the gazette notice in 1923 that established the Jemaluang forest reserve, then called Jembaluang. (Courtesy of Sinar Project)
A scanned copy of the gazette notice in 1923 that established the Jemaluang forest reserve, then called Jembaluang. (Courtesy of Sinar Project)

REMARKS

PEWARISAN BALU PERUMAL

"Pewarisan yang ditinggalkan Balu bukan hanya program dan projek yang dipimpinnya selama bertahun-tahun di lapangan, tetapi juga pada mereka-mereka yang bernaung dibawahnya."

~ Ginny Ng SL dengan Chin Sing Yun, Dylan Ong, Joanna Tang and Surin Suksuwan, anak buah Balu Perumal; diterjemah oleh Noorainie Awang Anak

Balu Perumal, conservationist beloved of his charges. (Dylan Ng)
Seorang pengiat pemuliharaan yang tulin, Balu Perumal [1966–2021] (Dylan Ong)

REMARKS

THE LIVING LEGACY OF BALU

"He understood that while projects and programmes may have a limited life span due to funding, investment into people would create passionate advocates about conservation that would leave an enduring impact."

~ Ginny Ng SL with Chin Sing Yun, Dylan Ong, Joanna Tang and Surin Suksuwan, former charges of Balu Perumal

Balu Perumal, conservationist beloved of his charges. (Dylan Ng)
Balu Perumal, conservationist beloved of his charges. (Dylan Ng)

REMARKS

A RESPONSE TO MACARANGA'S ARTICLE ON FOREST MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA

"This response will hopefully contribute to a more complete picture of forestry management in Peninsular Malaysia, inspire more robust journalistic efforts by the Macaranga team, and provide food for thought for the more discerning readers."

~ Surin Suksuwan, Macaranga Reader

REMARKS

ARE WE SERIOUS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

"It is time that Malaysian corporations recognise the value of good sustainability reporting rather than treat it as a mere compliance matter. Why limit your efforts to compliance reporting when there are many more benefits to be gained?"

~ Phang Oy Cheng, Executive Director of Governance and Sustainability, KPMG in Malaysia

Mist rising above Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers.
Malaysian sustainability reporting needs to improve. Photo of Kuala Lumpur central business district. (Ishan @seefromthesky on Unsplash)

REMARKS

GEOPARK NOT JUST ANOTHER LABEL FOR KINABALU

"In my work across Sabah and Labuan, I realise that most of the significant geological heritage sites are located outside of conserved areas."

~ Felix Tongkul, Kinabalu Global Geopark Advisor

Mount Kinabalu is the only glacial landscape in the tropical region. Glacial erosion from melting ice 10,000 years ago formed these parallel grooves. (Felix Tongkul)
Mount Kinabalu is the only glacial landscape in the tropical region. Glacial erosion from melting ice 10,000 years ago formed these parallel grooves. (Felix Tongkul)

REMARKS

LOCALS MAKE TERRAPIN CONSERVATION SUCCESSFUL

"Wildlife conservation can only be sustainable when the local communities have a good working relationship with the respective conservation organisations."

~ Dr Chen Pelf Nyok, president of Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia

Houses in Kemaman were flooded in early January 2021. (Turtle Conservation Society Facebook)
Houses in Kemaman were flooded in early January 2021. (Turtle Conservation Society Facebook)

REMARKS

YOUTH ASSEMBLY PLATFORM EMPOWERS CLIMATE ACTIVISTS

"..The most meaningful part to us, as the chairs, was being able to provide an opportunity for these passionate individuals to speak up for what was important to them."

~ Kieran Li Nair, Josephine Koay and Lee Ee Jenn, activists, Malaysian Youth delegation

Youth Assembly at MYLCOY2020 (Photo: MYD)
Youth Assemblies can empower every participant to freely speak their minds. (Photo: MYD)

REMARKS

ISLANDER PARTNERS IMPROVE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

"I am increasingly convinced that stakeholder participation in the co-management of natural resources is the way to go."

~ Julian Hyde, General Manager, Reef Check Malaysia

All together now: Tioman islanders and NGO members remove reef-smothering ghost nets. (Reef Check Malaysia)
All together now: Tioman islanders and NGO members remove reef-smothering ghost nets. (Reef Check Malaysia)

REMARKS

THE PANDEMIC AND OUR GROWING DISCONNECTION FROM NATURE

"Have I stopped birdwatching because of my lingering fear of Covid-19 infection or because I have simply become too comfortable with staying home?"

~ Tan Win Sim, Senior Analyst, Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre

A Grey-bellied Bulbul taking a dip in a stream, Malaysia. (Tan Win Sim)
A Grey-bellied Bulbul taking a dip in a stream, Malaysia. (Tan Win Sim)

REMARKS

NGOS DANGEROUSLY STUCK IN A RUT

"If I still had to raise the same issues after that many years, then perhaps a different approach is in order."

~ Ginny SL Ng, Environmentalist with multi-sectoral experience

While territoriality is good for tigers, it is not a good approach for environmental NGOs. (Ginny SL Ng)
While territoriality is good for tigers, it is not a good approach for environmental NGOs. (Ginny SL Ng)

REMARKS

Stop the Playbacks If You Love Helmeted Hornbills

"The calls of the bird lingered in my ears as I unloaded my car upon return. But the birds themselves did not plant them there."

~ Dr Ravinder Kaur, Scientific Director, GAIA

A Helmeted hornbill perched on a tree branch.
Helmeted hornbill, a critically endangered species threatened by poaching and deforestation. Credit: SANJITPAAL SINGH / JITSPICS.COM©

A Malaysian Environmental Journalism Site