Proposed ‘Beautiful People of Sabah’ book on hold due to financial constraints
KOTA KINABALU: The Rotary Clubs in Kota Kinabalu have done a great job in helping to protect and conserve the natural environment in Sabah under their environmental protection project since 2003.
Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew made this observation during a courtesy call by representatives of 10 Rotary Clubs in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang, recently.
She said apart from numerous community service projects, the clubs had over the years pooled their resources to undertake environmental projects, one of which was collecting and compiling data and photographs on Sabah’s natural assets such as rivers, beaches and mountains for publication of books as one form of documentation.
“Rotarians’ passion and patience for environmental conservation is reflected in getting professionals and amateurs alike to participate in photography competitions with focus on nature and the environment.
Just look at those magnificent photos found in the books. Simply beautiful and awe-inspiring. Such coffee table books make perfect souvenirs for visiting foreign dignitaries and guests,” she said.
Christina noted that the clubs’ painstaking effort had been translated into books like Beautiful Rivers of Sabah (2006), Beautiful Beaches of Sabah (2007) and Beautiful Mountains of Sabah (2009), describing the publications as an excellent record of the work of Rotary Clubs.
“Very precious indeed. I also love nature. I admire the Rotary spirit of voluntarism. Keep it up,” she said.
The 12-member delegation was led by past president of the Rotary Club of Likas Bay, Hiew Chee Wah.
Briefing the Minister on the outstanding edition of “Beautiful People of Sabah”, he said financial constraints had hindered the clubs from producing this proposed book.
“We have decided to turn to you (Christina) because you bring hope to us,” he said.
This prompted the minister to assure the delegation of some form of assistance from her ministry while calling on the Rotarians to continue with their laudable work.
Sharing the clubs’ experiences in implementing their environmental protection project over the years in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Christina said it involved the active participation of the local community.
“We have also worked closely with the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), especially the Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, who is a graduate of environmental science, Federal Department of Environment (DOE) and State Environment Protection Department (EPD). One such project is the setting up of rubbish traps in rivers,” he added.
In his research on rivers and coastal pollution, Hiew had travelled the length and breadth of Sabah to collect data and take photographs for publication.
The minister, who is expected to launch the yet-to-be-published “Beautiful People of Sabah” next year, also encouraged the clubs to look into the possibility of compiling a book on bird species in Sabah in the near future.
Other members of the delegation were Philip Koh (President, RC of Kota Kinabalu), C.P. Lim (President, RC of Likas Bay), Francis Ng (President, RC of Kinabalu Sutera), Ken Lim (President, RC of Kota Kinabalu South), Aishah H. Rahim (President, RC of Penampang), Eliza Goh (Vice-President, RC of Kota Kinabalu Pearl), Demi Koh (President-Elect, RC of Kota Kinabalu Central), Iskandar Ahmad (Past President, RC of Kota Kinabalu), Christina Aluda (Past President, RC of Kinabalu Sutera), Helena Donsih (Secretary, RC of Kota Kinabalu Central) and Junzuenn Basalan (Secretary, RC of Penampang).
Also present were the ministry’s Principal Assistant Secretary Mary Malangking and Sabah Environment Protection Department’s Principal Assistant Director, Daisy Aloysius.