Memorandum of Understanding between Yayasan Sabah and The Royal Botanic Gardens, KEW,United Kingdom

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN YAYASAN SABAH AND THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW, UNITED KINGDOM

Professor Charles Godfray, member, Board of Trustee, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom

Yayasan Sabah (YS) signed Memorandum Of Understanding with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom on Ogos 29,2005 at Level 3, Conference Room, Wisma Innoprise Building.

YB Datuk Dr. Yee Moh Chai, Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology witnessed the signing, representing the Chief Minister of Sabah.

The objective of the MOU is to establish a collaborative relationship between Yayasan Sabah and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom.

While Yayasan Sabah recognizes and acknowledges the need to conduct collaborative scientific research within the Yayasan Sabah Forest Management Area particularly the Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon Conservation Areas, i.e. in terms of assessing and monitoring biodiversity, Kew, on the other hand recognizes the opportunities to be gained through a research and training collaboration with Yayasan Sabah especially through accessto the YSFMA.

With this signing, indirectly, it will assist YS to promote the sustainability of its commercial forest base where appropriate, through the Forest Stewardship Council certification scheme.

Memento presentation to Professor Sir Peter Crane, Director, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom by YBhg. Tan Sri Datu Khalil, Director Yayasan Sabah

Memento presentation by Director of Yayasan Sabah, YBhg. Tan Sri Datu Khalil bin Datu Hj. Jamalul, J.P to Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, YB Dato' Kong Cho Ha The Yayasan Sabah Group (Research and Development Division) together with Sabah Forestry Department, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) and WWFMalaysia organized a symposium on Tropical Rainforest Rehabilitation and Restoration from 26 - 28 July 2005. The 3 days symposium brought a wide audience of policy makers, rehabilitation area managers, researchers, forest concession holders, government departments and agencies, NGOs, academicians, local communities, plantation and private sectors for discussions on the state of knowledge of tropical rainforest rehabilitation and restoration as well as exploring ways of enhancing the values of degraded and deforested areas.

The forum in this symposium enable the participants to improve their local and international linkages, enhancing synergy among stakeholders of rehabilitation areas and seeking the practical ways to promote tropical rainforest rehabilitation and restoration.

More than 30 papers were presented by various speakers both local and international renowned institutions covering aspects on issues and challenges in tropical rainforest rehabilitation and restoration, rehabilitation and restoration techniques for both inland and wetlands, partnerships and collaborations, carbon sequestration, and community participation in rehabilitation and restoration.

Post conference tours to the rehabilitation and restoration projects in Sabah were held at Danum Valley Field Centre and Infapro (Lahad Datu), Deramakot and Lower Kinabatangan (Sandakan) and Maliau Basin Studies Centre and INIKEA (Tawau).

With a group of 18 people, Dr. Johan left for Tawau on May 14; the flighttook45 minutes, and the journey by4WD to Agathis Camp took 5 hours during which one of the 4WD lost its front windscreen after being hit by a stone, and the 4WD occupants had to hitch a ride on a minibus to the Luasong Forestry Centre where a substitute vehicle was obtained. The first night in Maliau was spent at Agathis Camp. After dinner, the Manager of Maliau Basin Conservation Area Encik Hamzah Tangki gave a briefing on Maliau Basin.

The next morning, everyone got up with much enthusiasm as the sun was beaming through the forest canopy and promising a great adventure. Having little or no experience at all as to what awaited us in the next two days, we ventured out on an 8-hour trek to Ginseng Camp and along the way, we came across many types of mushrooms of different colours, shapes and sizes - one that particularly caught the fancy of Dr. Johan, the group named after him, "Johannes mushroomiis", Amidst sounds of hidden birds, animals and insects, the group saw horn bills, ferns, orchids and the next day, even a withered raffesia. More astounding than these was the real Maliau with its purity displaying the spirit of nature at its best. The many crystal clear streams appeared magnificent in the sun.

Ginseng Camp was a welcome sight for the dead tired group, The camp's unique structure with boardwalks connecting sleeping quarters, dining area, kitchen and even the restrooms, coupled with water and electricity supply, provided perfect accommodation for those who are terrified of leeches. For the adventurous, we immediately rushed to take a dip in the refreshingly cool stream leading to Ginseng Waterfall, while others, as you can see in the photo, took a nap contentedly.

Day 3 seemed to be the longest day for the group as the journey seemed never-ending, There were many steep slopes to climb up and down, streams to cross and very slippery trails that could only be conquered with the aid of ropes and by hanging on to branches and roots of trees. A short stop at Lobah Camp helipad allowed for a scenic view of the Basin and its rim. Towards early afternoon as the group got closer to the Maliau Falls, the weather changed for the worse and rain started to fall, The only shelter available was underneath a cliff overhang about 100 meters from the Maliau Falls. Huddled beneath the overhang and with raincoats on, everyone looked like a caveman of the 21st Century, Despite the heavy rain, Dr, Johan and Puan Fajar were determined to descend to the Maliau Falls as this was the highlight of the trip. Helped by a couple of rangers along the now very slippery trail, they successfully reached the riverbank and beheld the thunderous and majestic Maliau Falls. The joy in Dr. Johan's face was beyond what any word could describe, and he took a moment to give thanks to the Creatorforglimpses of such a wondrous beauty of the world, Uplifted by the beauty of the Maliau Falls, the group traversed slowly across the narrow ledge underneath the cliff overhang. Although a very dangerous task, it was made safer and easier by the strong and ever-helpful rangers and guides. Everyone made it safely.

The next stop for the night was Seraya Camp, but alas due to the heavy r.ain, the group could not cross the swollen and raging Ginseng River, Arope had been stretched from one side of the riverbank to the other", (to assist in crossing the river?). I said to myself, "There is no way I am going to cross the river by holding on to that rope and facing the prospect of being swept down a drop-off (waterfall) just a couple of meters away. It is just too risky" , As itwas getting dark, a quick decision was made, and that was to camp in the jungleforthe night. Itwas , amazing how speedily the rangers could prepare a makeshift camp, and the same goes for the special guides who prepared dinner, Getting a good night's sleep was impossible as it was raining and there were mosquitoes, ?: sand flies and leeches, Dawn seemed to come slowly, and atthe break offirstlight, some quickly got up to check ;~ the condition of the river, which to our relief had subsided a little. The rangers were up very early, and were almost done building a temporary bridge (aptly named Johan's Bridge) when the rest of the group gathered by the riverbank to have their breakfast. Breakfast never tasted so good! It was well worth a little discomfort to have a taste of heaven on earth. For some of us, crossing the bridge took a lot of courage and assistance from the

~ ~ rangers who firmly held our hands as we gingerly made our way across the 12 inch- wide bridge with the raging

water just a few inches below. Phew ..,glad that was over!

The next stop was Seraya Camp where the group was supposed to spend the previous night. After taking a short rest here, and replenishing our water supplies, we pushed on for Belian Camp, our last stop, It was a long walk, going uphill, downhill and crossing many streams. It was 3.30 p,m. when Dr. Johan and group arrived at the Camp with a sense of great accomplishment and relief. What an adventure it had been, Maliau Basin truly lives up to its name "The Lost World ofSabah". By Oliver Fung

Manager, Corporate Communications Division, Yayasan Sabah

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Dr. Johan crossing the flood! after a;nemorable night spel

iver the next morning , the jungle

"Kebakaran yang disengajakan" untuk memberi peluang kepada star memadamkan api menggunakan perala tan yang disediakan pada sesi latihan tersebut

Warga kerja Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah berkumpul di tempat yang selamat sambi! menunggu arahan seterusnya Satu latihan memadam kebakaran (fire drill) telah diadakan di bangunan Menara Tun Mustapha yang menempatkan lebih daripada 800 orang staf Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah dan juga Jabatan Ketua Menteri. Latihan tersebut bermula pada jam 9.00 pagi ketika para pekerja sedang melaksanakan tugas masing-masing. Loceng kecemasan dibunyikan dan para pekerja diminta mengosongkan bangunan dengan turun melalui tangga ke tempat yang ditetapkan oleh pihak keselamatan. Para pekerja mengambil masa lebih kurang 13 minit untuk mengosongkan bangunan Menara Tun Mustapha.

Sementara itu, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat mengambil masa kurang daripada 25 minit untuk sampai ke bangunan Menara Tun Mustapha selepas dimaklumkan. Mereka membuat pemeriksaan ke setiap tingkat bagi memastikan tidak ada orang yang tertinggal. Para pekerja kemudiannya diberi taklimat mengenai kaedah dan tatacara mengelak daripada berlakunya kebakaran dan diberi kesempatan untuk mencuba alat pemadam api bagi memadamkan kebakaran dalam satu sesi latihan tersebut.

Turut hadir bersama para staf dalam sesi latihan tersebut ialah Timbalan Pengarah Yayasan Sabah, Yang Berbahagia Dr. Johan Arriffin Datuk Hj A. Samad yang juga selaku Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Induk Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (OSHA), Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah.

KURSUS KOMPUTER

Puan Alice Wong menerangkan sesuatu kepada Sdra. Abd. Jannah dari pejabat Yayasan Sabah Zon Pantai Timur Selatan (salah seorang peserta)

~C\1

Pengurus, Unit Pembangunan Sumber Manusia, Bahagian Sumber Manusia dan Pentadbiran (Kumpulan), En. Awang Rahim Awang Ali (kedua dari kiri) bergambar bersama para peserta kursus semasa Kursus Komputer "MS Word/Excel dan Powerpoint" pada 27 Mei 2005

Sahagian Sumber Manusia dan Pentadbiran (Kumpulan) melalui Unit Pembangunan Sumber Manusia mengadakan kursus/latihan komputer kepada warga Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah termasuk di Peringkat Zon dan Wilayah. Program secara berperingkat dan berterusan ini adalah sebagai usaha untuk memperkasa kemahiran warga kumpulan dari segi teknik asas pengendalian komputer serta memahami perisian. Kursusini perlu untuk memperkemaskan pengetahuan semua warga kumpulan dalam menguasai perisian teknologi maklumat yang pantas berubah dari semasa kesemasa.

Salah satu Kursus Komputer yang dijalankan ialah "MSWord/Excel dan Powerpoint" diadakan pada 24-27 Mei, 2005 bertempat di SilikIT Majlis Perbandaran, Tawau. Seramai 16 orang warga kumpulan telah dipilih mengikuti kursusini.

Kursusyang sama turut diadakan di Institut Latihan Sektor Awam, Daerah Keningau pada 13-15 Julai, 2005 selama tiga hari. Sejumlah 18 staf Kumpulan YayasanSabah bukan Eksekutif dan Eksekutif tela h mengikuti kursus berkenaan. Objektif kursus tersebut diadakan adalah untuk memperkasakan para peserta kursus dari segi pengetahuan dan kemahiran dalam applikasi program MS Office. Fasilitator bagi kursus berkenaan adalah Puan Alice Ong dari firma Zuma Engineering, Kota Kinabalu.

Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman menyarankan supaya para penerima Anugerah Biasiswa Cemerlang Negeri Sabah (BCNS) tahun ini lebih bersedia untuk menghadapi cabaran dan mengikuti bidang-bidang cabaran dan mengikuti bidang-bidang pengajian yang bersifat kritikal dan eksplorasi.

Katanya, tumpuan haruslah diberikan kepada disiplin i1muyang berteraskan Sains dan Teknologi khususnya robotic sejajar dengan sektor perindustrian dan pembuatan, polimer (sebagai alternatif kepada penggunaan bahan kayu dalam pembinaan), bioteknologi, petrokimia (minyak dan gas) kejuruteraan automotif dan aeroangkasa. Kerajaan sentiasa terus berusaha memperluaskan kemudahan dan peluang pendidikan kepada pelajar-pelajar negeri ini dan Kabinet negeri telah memutuskan supaya Yayasan Sabah menawarkan tajaan biasiswa dalam bidang perubatan di Kursk State Medical University, Russiasejak tahun lalu.

"Saya difahamkan, negara Mesir yang terkenal dengan univeristi tertua di dunia telah bersetuju menerima pelajar-pelajar kita untuk mengikuti bidang Perubatan dan Kejuruteraan," katanya.

Begitu juga katanya, dengan Universiti Istanbul, Turki yang memberi persetujuan menerima pelajar-pelajar negeri ini untuk mengikuti bidang Perubatan Farmasi dan Ekonomi. Bidang Perubatan di Universiti Istanbul adalah terbuka kepada pelajar-pelajar antarabangsa kerana bahasa penghantarnya adalah Bahasa Inggeris.

Dalam pada itu, beliau yang juga Pengerusi Lembaga Pemegang Amanah Yayasan Sabah merasa gembira dengan prestasi kutipan pembayaran balik pinjaman pengajian Yayasan Sabah pada tahun lalu yang mencecah kepada RM3.15 juta.

"Ini menunjukkan petanda yang pisitif dan menggambarkan betapa komitednya peminjam-peminjam berkenaan untuk melaksanakan tanggungjawab untuk membayar balik pinjaman mereka," katanya.

Sehubungan itu, beliau berharap agar para peminjam lain yang belum lagi membuat pembayaran akan terpanggil untuk menunaikan tanggungjawab masing-masing, kerana pembayaran balik itu merupakan sumber untuk tabung pusingan pengajian untuk membolehkan Yayasan Sabah meneruskan tajaan kepada pelajarpelajar lain yang memerlukan.

Mengenai penganugerahan Biasiswa Cemerlang Negeri Sabah, Musa berkata, ia bukan sahaja pengiktirafan Kerajaan ke atas kecemerlangan yang telah diperolehi pelajar, malah ianya lebih daripada itu sebagai manifestasi komitmen dan kesungguhan kerajaan untuk membangunkan sumber manusia yang berilmu dan berkemahiran di negeri ini.

YBhg. Tan Sri Datu Khalil, YBhg. Dr. Johan dan Hajah Rosmawati menanti ketibaan YAB Ketua Menteri

Tetamu Kehormat bersama hadirin menyampaikan lagu Negaraku dan Sabah Tanahairku