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Danum-An Example ofA Win-Win International Collaborative Research
Danum isan example ofa win-win international collaborative research between developing and developed countries, an initiative ofYayasan Sabah that started in 1984.
In his speech during the signing ceremony ofthe fourth quinquennial MoUon Danum ValleyRainforest Research and Training Programme between Danum Valley Management Committee (DVMC) and The Royal Society, U.K. for a further five years, DVMC Chairman, Tengku Datuk Dr. Zainal Adlin, said Danum's status as an ideal 'laboratory' and for in-situ comparative studies has been enhanced with the presence ofboth loggedover area and an on-going carbon offsetforest rehabilitation and liberation project of 25,000 ha and the undisturbed 43,800 ha conservation area.
The ceremony held on February 24 at the Yayasan Sabah Training Room was witnessed by the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima [now Haji] Osu Hj. Sukam.
The main aims ofthe programmes are:
* Togain scientific understanding of the ecological process and evolutionary mechanisms operating within tropical rainforest.
DANUM-
* Toprovide training opportunities for Sabahans in ecology,forestry and related sciences. * To provide information which may contribute to improve management offorests in Sabah. * To foster an understanding among schools and university students and the general public ofthe value offorests for sustainable development in Sabah.
To date 250 studies have been completedorare in progress and have produced over 170publications.
Tengku Adlin said the programme has a commitment to provide training for young environmental scientists. He added that with the strong support of the Royal Society, it has involved 41 postgraduate projects, including 25 doctoral, of which five are Malaysians; and 16Masters of which 13are Malaysians.
TengkuAdlin requested the State Government to dedicate a viable permanent reserve for a wildlife corridor, from the coast near Silam to Danum and Maliau Basin not only for the survival of the endangered species but for the good of the plantations themselves.
"Ifnot, the wildlife willfeed onthe young growing tender leaves of
the oilpalm and acacia mangium in a lose-losesituation," he said.
Members of the DVMC are the Forestry Division, Yayasan Sabah, the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Development, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS),Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Sabah Parks, Sabah Wildlife Department and the Sabah Museum.
The Royal Society,London, which is the national academy of sciences for the United Kingdom, also sits on the committee as observers. The Royal Society Research Coordinator and a Resident Senior Scientist represent the Societyin the Danum Valley Management Committee.
Exchange of documents between Tengku Adlin [left] of DVMC and Professor Charles Godfrey [right} 0/ Royal Society
RBJ·FRIM SIGNS 13RD MoU
Rakyat Berjaya Sdn Bhd (RBJ) a subsidiary of Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd, signed the third MoDwith Forest Research Institute ofMalaysia (FRIM) on April 14, 2000 at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort.
At the MoD signing ceremony, RBJ was represented by Chairman of ICSB, Tan Sri Datu Khalil bin Datu Haji Jamalul, and witnessed by Group Manager ofForestry Division, Awang Sham Pulau. The Director General of FRIM, Dato' Dr. Abdul Razak Mohd. Ali signed for FRIM, witnessed by the Director of Plantation Division, Dr. Daniel Baskaran Krishnapillay.
Tan Sri Khalil [left} exchanging documents with Data' Dr. Razak, witnessed by Datuk Anifah
The early MoDswere signed in 1991 and 1995for a duration ofthree and five years respectively. In view of the satisfactory performance under the MoDs, FRIM and RBJ have mutually agreed to extend the MoD foranother fiveyears.
In his speech Tan Sri Khalil, said "the Mou between FRIM and RBJ was entered with the aim of transferring research results, techniques and technology in forestry applications from FRIM to RBJ in the form of technical adviceand consultation. Throughout the tenure of the eight-year collaboration, FRIM has assisted RBJ in the implementation ofseveral international projects, which are considered as exemplary."
He added, "RBJ has benefitted immensely from the support of FRIMand therefore has nohesitation to extend the existing MoD which began in Kepong."
RBJ in turn will contribute RM100,000 to FRIM for technical consultation.
The MoD was witnessed by the Deputy Minister of Primary Industries, DatukAnifah HajiAman.
