Jaswinder Kaur, New Straits Times 17 Apr 09;
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah which is rich in wildlife, plants and marine diversity, can serve as a model for other states in Malaysia and countries in the region for its conservation projects, a US government official said.
Impressed with what she has seen during three visits, Kuala Lumpur-based US State Department environment, science, technology and health officer Alice Chu noted that Sabah was carrying out conservation projects with non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to preserve its biodiversity.
"The US government is trying to partner with the local state governments of Sabah and Sarawak and their partners such as NGOs to preserve biodiversity in a sustainable manner.
"Malaysia is a leader in this and Sabah is a great model for other states in the country and other nations in the region to follow.
"The local government and NGOs know what the pressing issues are," said Chu, who will soon leave Malaysia to take up another posting, after spending half a day at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park here yesterday.
Chu and her successor Phillip Loosli were briefed by Sabah Wildlife Department officers and representatives from NGOs such as WWF Malaysia and Hutan, on types of collaborative projects implemented in the state.
Stressing that Borneo itself is unique, Chu said the US government is supporting the tri-national Heart of Borneo (HoB) and the Coral Triangle Initiative that involves six nations.
She said the US Agency for International Development has pledged US$40 million (RM144 million) and the US State Department has given US$750,000 for the Coral Triangle Initiative.
A different sum which Chu was unable to disclose, has also gone into supporting the HoB.
