Latest news with #WWF-Malaysia
The Star
2 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Confronting the escalating plastic waste crisis: A Malaysian perspective
Plastic has become deeply embedded in our modern lives. From packaging to electronics and even medicine, it is so widely used that imagining life without it feels almost impossible. In Malaysia, where plastic products are cheap and easily accessible, this dependence is especially pronounced. But this convenience comes with a growing cost—an escalating crisis of plastic pollution that is impacting our rivers, coasts, oceans and marine life. Where is all this plastic coming from? The main sources of plastic pollution in Malaysia are land-based, including household waste, single-use packaging and unmanaged plastic litter. Unfortunately, waste separation at the source remains low. Most Malaysians still dispose of all their waste—including recyclables—into a single bin, which reduces the value and recyclability of plastic. Our rivers, particularly the Klang and Kerayong, act as direct channels for this waste to reach the sea. Our own recent study on the Kerayong River, conducted with WWF-Malaysia, found worrying levels of plastic accumulation, especially in urban areas. Plastic items such as wrappers, food containers, and sachets are among the most common. In addition, fishing-related waste—including abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)—contributes to marine debris. Ghost nets and traps not only pollute but also entangle marine life. How bad Is Malaysia's contribution? Malaysia has been listed among the top contributors of plastic waste per capita in the region. Rivers like the Klang and Penang's Sungai Pinang are often cited in global assessments as some of the most polluted. Coastal areas in Selangor, Penang, Johor and Sabah have emerged as plastic pollution hotspots due to population density and poor waste management infrastructure. Impact on marine life and livelihoods As a researcher focused on microplastics and marine debris, I have studied the presence of microplastics in marine organisms such as blood cockles (Anadara granosa), mudskippers, shrimps and hermit crabs. In one study, we found over 80% of cockles sampled contained microplastics—an alarming discovery, considering these are commonly consumed by local communities. The ingestion of plastic particles can harm the health and reproductive systems of marine species and may also carry toxic pollutants into the food chain. For small-scale fishers, especially those in coastal and estuarine areas, plastic pollution affects both their livelihoods and fishing efficiency. Nets become clogged, habitats degrade, and fish stocks dwindle. Are our waste systems working? Malaysia has made some strides through national roadmaps and plastic reduction strategies. However, recycling remains a challenge. Plastic recycling rates are low, and without consistent public participation in waste separation, it is difficult to scale up solutions. Many recyclables are contaminated and end up in landfills. The lack of a nationwide Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme also limits progress. Producers need to be held accountable for the full life cycle of their products, including their disposal. Are businesses stepping up? There are encouraging examples of Malaysian businesses embracing sustainability, particularly in packaging and retail sectors. Some retailers are offering collection points for used plastic, while others are investing in biodegradable alternatives. However, many companies still view environmental efforts as optional rather than essential. Broader uptake is needed, especially from manufacturers and producers. Dr Fauziah Shahul Hamid heads University Malaya's Research in Waste Management Centre and is the university's Faculty of Science's Institute of Biological Science Associate Professor. A role for communities and collaboration Despite the challenges, local communities, NGOs, and universities are playing a crucial role in raising awareness and driving change. At Universiti Malaya, through the Centre for Research in Waste Management, we have been actively collaborating with NGOs like WWF-Malaysia to conduct studies, hold workshops and support education programmes to improve waste practices. Our Centre is also involved in organising an upcoming Information Exchange on Marine Debris and ALDFG Countermeasures in the Asian Region, supported by SEAFDEC (Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center). This initiative brings together Asean member states to share strategies, build capacity and align efforts to tackle marine debris, especially fishing gear waste, which is often overlooked in policy. The problem with data One of the biggest gaps in tackling plastic pollution in Malaysia is the lack of accessible, long-term data. Without consistent monitoring and transparent reporting, it is difficult to track progress, identify trends, or evaluate the impact of interventions. As researchers, we rely heavily on our own field studies, but we need a national monitoring framework that links policy with science. What should Malaysia focus on next? To meaningfully align with global efforts and protect our ocean health, Malaysia should: > Strengthen waste segregation by incentivising households and businesses. > Implement mandatory producer responsibility for plastic packaging and other high-impact sectors. > Invest in innovation, such as microbial bioremediation—one of my research areas explores how indigenous microbes in mangroves can help break down plastics. > Support coordinated regional action through platforms like SEAFDEC and Asean-level dialogues. > Improve data collection and public transparency to guide action. Final thoughts World Ocean Day 2025 is more than a commemoration—it's a wake-up call. Our oceans support food security, biodiversity, and climate stability. In Malaysia, we have the science, community support, and even some policies in place. But we need more urgency, stronger enforcement, and a united commitment from all sectors—government, industry, academia and citizens. If we act decisively, we can protect our marine ecosystems and help build a future where plastics no longer chokes our waters, but is managed responsibly from production to disposal.
The Star
12-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Pin Supu Forest Reserve in Sabah earns IUCN Green List award
Tungog Lake, located in Batu Puteh within the Pin Supu Forest Reserve, is a vital freshwater ecosystem surrounded by lowland rainforest, playing a key role in local biodiversity and community-based ecotourism. - Photo credit Mazidi Abd Ghani, WWF-Malaysia KOTA KINABALU: The recent IUCN Green List award for the Pin Supu Forest Reserve (PSFR) in Kinabatangan, Sabah, showcases how local governments can achieve significant milestones by collaborating with communities in conservation efforts. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia announced that this International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List status, awarded in May to the country's first terrestrial protected area, serves as a model for inclusive and practical conservation. WWF-Malaysia's Elyrice Alim, site mentor for PSFR's Green List journey, emphasized that the IUCN Green List is more than just a label—it reflects a well-managed protected area grounded in strong relationships with local communities, rights-holders, and civil society. "What makes Pin Supu Forest Reserve truly special is the community's active involvement from the beginning, including in co-developing the first management plan," she said. WWF-Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Sophia Lim echoed this sentiment, stating that the IUCN Green List is a testament to the commitment to conserving biodiversity while supporting economic growth and social inclusion. She highlighted the partnership between the Sabah Forestry Department and KOPEL as inspiring, representing over two decades of dedicated, community-driven conservation. KOPEL is a local community cooperative that promotes sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism and conservation. "We hope to see more protected and conserved areas across Malaysia achieve this global standard," Lim said, adding that this milestone highlights the success of local collaboration and places this forest reserve alongside some of the world's best-managed Protected Areas. Building on this momentum, Tun Mustapha Park (TMP)—one of Sabah's iconic marine protected areas, managed by Sabah Parks—is now preparing for its IUCN Green List evaluation. This process involves assessing how well the park is managed and protected to meet international standards, reflecting Sabah's ongoing, collective commitment to conservation excellence. Lim remarked that the recognition of Pin Supu Forest Reserve on the IUCN Green List marks a landmark moment for conservation in Sabah and Malaysia, made possible through the dedication of multiple partners. As the implementing partner of the IUCN Green List programme in Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia supports nationwide promotion, coordination, and technical facilitation of the Green List process, aiding current and future efforts by protected areas working towards this recognition. Prior to this, the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) also received its accreditation in May 2022. PSFR's inclusion on the list demonstrates its exemplary commitment to biodiversity conservation, effective management, and inclusive, community-based approaches. Located in the middle of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain in Sabah's Kinabatangan District, Pin Supu Forest Reserve spans 4,696 hectares, featuring diverse lowland forest types, oxbow lakes, and a complex limestone karst system of caves. It plays a vital role in maintaining connectivity within the broader Lower Kinabatangan floodplain ecosystem. It is currently the only forest area in Sabah managed in partnership with a local community, where meaningful participation is recognised as a key priority.
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Kpg Belawai's ‘sesar unjur' goes green with new eco-friendly tech
Dr Abang Mohammad Nizam (right) demonstrates the proper technique for operating the machine during the training session. – Photo from WWF-Malaysia KUCHING (June 12): An engineering solution has enabled the community in Kampung Belawai, Tanjung Manis to produce 'sesar unjur' (smoked prawn) more efficiently while contributing to the conservation of local mangroves. In a joint statement, WWF-Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) said the new technology allows locals to shift from producing smoked prawns using mangrove logs to using a machine specially engineered to perform the work without the need to cut down mangroves. Fatimah Lain, a 67-year-old local resident, praised the new technology, noting that it is less labour-intensive and requires minimal effort. 'Unlike the traditional method, the machine does not require constant monitoring. In traditional smoking, we had to regularly check and control the fire. 'This new approach is not only easier but also more cost-effective, as it uses significantly less mangrove wood,' she said when met following a training session for 'sesar unjur' producers and handover of the smokehouse and machine to the local community, in Kampung Belawai recently. Fatimah expresses her delight after learning a new method of producing 'sesar unjur'. – Photo from WWF-Malaysia The smokehouse pilot project was brought to the community in Kampung Belawai by WWF-Malaysia in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering of Unimas and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). This smoked prawn processing technology is developed to help reduce community's dependence on mangroves to smoke their famed 'sesar unjur' — a seasonal, high-value product, fetching up to RM180 per kg in local markets. The version produced along the Belawai-Rajang-Paloh stretch is especially prized for its distinct smoky aroma, traditionally achieved using mangroves as firewood. 'The conventional smoking process lacks temperature and smoke control, leading to excessive mangrove harvesting during peak seasons and raising concerns about the sustainability of mangrove forests as well as the supply of firewood. 'On the other hand, the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh mangrove ecosystem is vital to the livelihood of the community, who are mainly fishers, and home to various coastal wildlife species including the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris),' added the statement. The seasonal surge in 'sesar unjur' production is said to place immense pressure on the ecosystem, risking unsustainable harvesting of mangrove wood, thereby disrupting biodiversity and threatening long-term ecological stability. According to WWF-Malaysia Sarawak Conservation Programme senior manager for landscapes Ailyn Nau Sidu, the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh mangrove complex covers nearly 94,000 hectares, making it the biggest in the state. She cautioned that if the mangrove complex is not managed sustainably, there are risks of losing more forest mangroves, which would eventually impact fish and marine mammal populations. 'Fish are the community's livelihoods, and so are the marine mammals, especially the Irrawaddy dolphins, which have the potential to be an ecotourism attraction to the area,' she said. Prawns successfully smoked using the machine. – Photo from WWF-Malaysia Thanking Unimas, SDEC, and the local community for their support in the project, Ailyn also shared that initial research from the university showed that the machine has reduced the use of mangrove wood successfully by 80 per cent to produce 'sesar unjur' against the traditional method. Additionally, Unimas Faculty of Engineering, led by Dr Abang Mohammad Nizam Abang Kamaruddin, developed a prototype system with improved heat and smoke control technologies under SDEC funding in 2022. Later, under the leadership of Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation Dr Annisa Jamali, the faculty developed and deployed Smoking Automation with Hybrid-heat Sources (SMOKAHs) — a modular smoking system powered by electricity and/or solar energy. SMOKAHs integrates multiple heat and smoke sources within a controlled chamber, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainably harvested wood while preserving the authentic flavours of 'sesar unjur'. Piloted with other communities from Tebelu to Igan, SMOKAHs is now recognised as a viable solution for preserving traditional food practices in a sustainable way. The machine significantly reduces processing time — from a full day to just three to four hours — and produces prawn that complies with European Commission Food Standards, with significantly lower polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels compared to traditional methods. According to the team's certified Greenhouse Gas professional Ir Ts Dr Lidyana Roslan, SMOKAHs also achieves up to 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions. A single smoking cycle consumes only 1-2 kg of mangrove wood, compared to 20.72 kg used in conventional methods to process the same quantity (16 kg) of 'sesar unjur', a breakthrough in both environmental conservation and production efficiency. Tanjung Manis community leader Pemanca Morshidi Moris, who is also Belawai Mukah Berhad Cooperatives chairman, said this is the second smoked prawn machine introduced in Belawai. He noted that the first machine, introduced under a different initiative and organisation, was unsuccessful due to a lack of community involvement. 'Local smokehouse operators were involved from the start of the machine's development by Unimas and WWF-Malaysia, with their feedback incorporated into the design. 'For example, the use of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) instead of full electricity was incorporated based on suggestions from the community, aiming to reduce operational costs. 'While the taste of smoke prawns produced by the machine has not yet fully matched that of traditional methods, the outcomes are very similar — achieving about 70 per cent similarity,' he said, adding that the machine will be operated by cooperative members. eco-friendly Kampung Belawai sesar unjur smoked prawn WWF-Malaysia
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Paving way for progress – Balancing development with conservation in Sabah's road networks
A Bornean elephant grazing in the wild. This regular op-ed column features WWF-Malaysia's perspectives on pressing environmental issues and events unfolding in Sabah. As an environmental conservation NGO, we also use this space to share our views on potential policy shifts that Sabah's leaders can implement to foster a greener and more sustainable future for the state. Sabah is a land renowned for its lush nature and wildlife. Today, more than ever, the state stands at a critical juncture where the imperative for socioeconomic advancement with infrastructure development must be carefully balanced – with environmental and biodiversity conservation. Roads and highways are arteries for progress. They facilitate trade and transport of goods, improve access to healthcare and education, and create better employment opportunities. However, the recent tragic death of a baby elephant on Mother's Day in Gerik, Perak, serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences when infrastructure development proceeds without adequate consideration for biodiversity safeguards. The death of the baby elephant hit by a lorry highlights the pressing need for a paradigm shift in approaching road construction in ecologically sensitive regions like Sabah. The impact of roads and highways on large species such as elephants is of particular concern. Elephants have large home ranges. They are known to feed along road shoulders due to the abundance of grass fodder found there. In Peninsular Malaysia, a staggering 2,361 wild animals have been killed by vehicles since 2020 (including eight elephants). In Sabah, the first known road accident involving elephants was reported in 2022. As Sabah plans for more roads and highway projects such as the Pan Borneo highway that criss-cross wildlife habitat over the next few years, we can expect more wildlife-vehicle collisions and human-wildlife conflict. Creating a safe coexistence between humans and wildlife To prevent such wildlife-vehicle collisions, we need to create wildlife-friendly road infrastructure. Doing so requires wildlife data to determine locations of biodiversity hotspots so that the road can be aligned away. Where the roads must cross such hotspots, we need to construct wildlife-friendly road infrastructure. While this is obvious, ongoing projects do not have them. For instance, Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project connecting Ranau to Sandakan. The alignment and budget was finalised before biodiversity concerns were fully addressed. The result: a 13-kilometre stretch cutting through the Tawai Forest Reserve, a Class I Protection Forest. This vital forest is a sanctuary for highly endangered species, including Bornean elephants, Bornean orangutans, Bornean peacock pheasants, and Sunda clouded leopards. Under business as usual scenarios, in the absence of biodiversity safeguards, we will see roadkills on this new highway segment – exacerbating human-wildlife conflict, and posing a significant threat to these already vulnerable populations. Road users too are at risk, when they slam the breaks to avoid them. On the Pan Borneo Highway, the planned Phase 3 serves to enhance connectivity in Sabah's southern interior. The new road links the main towns of Tawau and Keningau via the remote districts of Kalabakan and Pensiangan. While it ultimately improves access and supports drastically needed socio-economic development, the planned road alignment passes through vast intact Forest Reserves – habitats to many wildlife species. We can prevent future occurrence of roadkills with proper road alignment and provision of budget for wildlife-friendly infrastructure. Pan Borneo Phase 3 is still pending confirmation, therefore presenting us a critical and timely opportunity. This is Sabah's chance to design road infrastructure that truly coexists with our iconic wildlife and minimises its environmental footprint. The technical know-how is already there. Just recently on 6–9 May 2025, the Sabah Wildlife Department hosted a workshop on constructing wildlife-friendly infrastructure in Maliau Basin. The workshop was co-organised by WWF-Malaysia, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, and the IUCN WCPA/SSC Asian Elephant Transport Working Group. The meeting featured an IUCN's 'Handbook to Mitigate the Impacts of Roads and Railways on Asian Elephants', and sought to enhance collective understanding and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing the impacts of linear infrastructure on wildlife. One of the key objectives of the workshop was to provide recommendations for Phase 3 of the Pan Borneo Highway Project. Workshop participants reached a clear consensus on the need to integrate environmental screening assessments early in road planning to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and ensure effective mitigation measures. These measures include wildlife-friendly crossing structures such as viaducts and overpasses, anti-poaching safeguards, and speed management measures like rumble strips, speed cameras, optical speed bars, and electronic message signs, particularly in high-risk wildlife crossing zones. Additionally, proper motorist alert signage is essential to ensure the safe movement of both wildlife and road users. Wildlife-Friendly Infrastructure: Applying the Mitigation Hierarchy In 2023, WWF-Malaysia introduced the training module, Green Roads and Highways: Protecting Biodiversity, followed by the Green Budgeting Checklist in 2024. This initiative results from a collaboration between the Ministry of Works Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia and Aurecon Group, aimed at mainstreaming environmental considerations in road and highway projects. The IUCN Guidelines mentioned above provide invaluable practical resources on elephants. In essence, all road and highway development projects should apply the mitigation hierarchy to manage environmental impacts responsibly. First, using topography maps and wildlife data, efforts must focus on avoiding sensitive areas such as high conservation value (HCV) forests, water catchments, steep slopes, and key biodiversity zones. Second, where avoidance isn't possible, impacts should be minimised by realigning routes. Third, in biodiversity hotspots, mitigation measures — like viaducts, culverts, and canopy bridges — can then help reduce harm and maintain connectivity. Finally, affected areas should be restored through habitat rehabilitation and reconnection. This comprehensive approach supports both biodiversity conservation and sustainable infrastructure development. Far too often, it is only when roadkill has occurred 'too' frequently, and brought into media attention, that environmental experts are brought in to undertake damage control. By then, it's too late to influence road alignments or the design of critical wildlife crossings. Road construction, causing upwards to tens of billions of Ringgit, always involves well-planned and budgetary development, involving multiple layers of decision-making and approval processes. We fervently hope that guiding principles, such as those mentioned above and insights gleaned from dedicated workshops, will constitute part of early decision-making, so that the final approved plan contains all the necessary attributes in ensuring a wildlife friendly infrastructure. For sustainable infrastructure projects in Sabah to succeed, early involvement from all relevant government agencies is vital to integrate environmental and biodiversity concerns. Equally important are robust budgets for environmental and social safeguards, covering pre-construction wildlife assessments, temporary barriers, construction safeguards, and long-term monitoring. Every future road project must include a thorough Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). This ensures long-term economic viability by factoring in not just immediate costs, but also potential environmental liabilities, social impacts, and the intrinsic value of natural heritage. Through early intervention, comprehensive CBA, meticulous planning, dedicated environmental budgeting, and strong political will, we can build roads that serve the people without sacrificing Sabah's irreplaceable forests and diverse wildlife. Strategically avoiding environmentally sensitive areas also leads to more climate-resilient and cost-effective infrastructure. WWF-Malaysia and NGOs like Coalition 3H are ready to collaborate, offering wildlife information and input to inform future infrastructure planning with agencies like the Public Works Department (JKR) to help inform future infrastructure planning and decision-making processes. By embracing a collaborative and forward-thinking approach, Sabah can demonstrate to the world that economic development and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive but can be mutually reinforcing. The path to progress in Sabah must be paved with asphalt and a profound respect for nature. Moving forward, WWF-Malaysia is calling for a strong commitment from government agencies to ensure the survival of Sabah's iconic wildlife is a priority in all future infrastructure planning.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Nature and humanity, hand in hand
MALAYSIA is home to some of the world's richest biodiversity. From lush rainforests and winding rivers to vibrant coral reefs, our natural heritage provides clean air, fresh water, food security, climate stability and cultural identity. To achieve true sustainability, we must recognise that nature is not just a resource but is also the foundation of life. When ecosystems thrive, they help secure a sustainable future for all. Some of Malaysia's most treasured wildlife includes the Malayan tiger, the Bornean orangutan, Borneo pygmy elephant, Malayan tapir and endangered sea turtles, such as the Green turtle and Hawksbill turtle. These remarkable animals are not only symbols of our national and natural heritage but they are also indicators of the health of our environment. They remind us of the urgent need for conservation. Our biodiversity is under threat. Habitat loss, pollution, unsustainable practices and climate change are pushing species and ecosystems to the brink. World Biodiversity Day was celebrated on May 22 and this year's theme, 'Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,' reminds us that the health of our planet is inseparable from human progress. It highlights the interconnectedness between the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The message is clear, whereby we cannot achieve sustainable development without protecting biodiversity. Nature supports every aspect of sustainable development, from poverty mitigation and health to economic growth and climate resilience. In recent days, the heart-breaking loss of a baby elephant has sparked widespread concern. The government has also responded and agreed to create more ecological corridors to enable wildlife to move across landscapes, which can thus reduce conflict. These corridors will also benefit many other wildlife species and allow the ecosystem to thrive. These commitments reflect the ambitions of the GBF, particularly Target 2, which aims to restore at least 30% of degraded ecosystems, and Target 9, which focuses on minimising human-wildlife conflict through sustainable solutions. This approach also supports the objectives of SDG 13, which calls for urgent climate action and highlights the importance of ecosystem connectivity and adaptive management to build climate resilience. In addition, it aligns with SDG 15, which promotes the protection, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems to safeguard life on land. Protecting biodiversity is not just about saving wildlife. It is about safeguarding our future. By restoring ecosystems and improving landscape connectivity, we can build a more resilient and sustainable Malaysia for generations to come. All parties, including the private sectors should work together with the government and conservation bodies towards this cause. At WWF-Malaysia, we are committed to solutions that benefit both people and nature. Our living landscape effort integrates tiger conservation, sustainable palm oil, responsible forestry and circular economy innovations, all in close collaboration with communities, businesses and policymakers. Together we are building landscapes where wildlife can thrive and people can prosper. Living in harmony with nature is not just a dream for the future; it is a choice we must make every day. Every action matters, from supporting conservation efforts to embracing sustainable lifestyles. Change begins with us. Let us embrace a future where nature and humanity move forward hand in hand, ensuring a healthier, more resilient planet for generations to come. Because at WWF-Malaysia, we believe it is only 'together possible'. Join us in making a difference. WWF-Malaysia's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Comments: letters@
