Local researchers should be more proactive — Masidi
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun called for local researchers to be more proactive in the Malaysian scientific expeditions.
Masidi said many Malaysians had gotten their doctorates in the relevant fields but there were still more active foreign researchers in Malaysia.
“We are often surprised by statistics showing that the number of local researchers involved in research expeditions are still at the low level. I think we should continue to add the local researcher component, and not forever be dependent on foreigners,” he said.
“Though we are very grateful with their (foreign) presence and they have contributed a lot in the creation of knowledge, nevertheless, I think it is important that our own people need to be at par with their capacity to do research,” he said at the Batu Timbang, Imbak Canyon 2017 Scientific Expedition Seminar and 2014-2023 Imbak Canyon Strategic Management Plan launch at Menara Tun Mustapha here yesterday.
“So we Malaysians, especially Sabahans, do not see it as a priority. I hope more or less the Batu Timbang Expedition seminar will open our eyes and minds to be excited to do research and so on,” added Masidi.
The minister, however, lauded giant organizations Yayasan Sabah and Petronas for their contribution to environmental conservation and preservation in Sabah.
He said Yayasan Sabah’s turnaround from losses that plunged close to bankruptcy 15 to 20 years ago, to becoming a group worth more than RM10 billion today itself is a reflection of commitment and discipline, which should be emulated by others.
“Thank you to Petronas for the very generous amount of RM83 million, and I hope there will be more,” he quipped.
Present was Yayasan Sabah Group Conservation & Environmental Management Division group manager Dr Yap Sau Wai who represented director Datuk Sapawi Bin Haji Ahmad while Petronas was represented by head of Social Performance, Group Health, Safety, Security & Environment, Lizuryaty Azrina Abdullah, and head of Corporate Social Investment Datin Norzita A Samad, at the ceremony.