Musa receiving the mock cheque of RM68,140 for the Ulu-Segama Malua Forest Reforestation project from McMurray (2nd left) while Lafleur (left) and Khoo (right) look onNew Sabah Times 3rd August, 2007
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman has been lauded for his leadership in the ‘Heart of Borneo’ transboundary conservation project between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
“I really applaud you for your leadership in working on this (transboundary project).
“And, we look forward to future cooperation,” said Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of Oceans, International Environment and Scientific Affairs, Claudia A. McMurray.
She was speaking to reporters after presenting a mock cheque for RM68,140 for the Ulu-Segama Malua Forest Reforestation project during a courtesy call at Sri Gaya here yesterday.
McMurray is on an official visit to meet Malaysian government officials as well as tour several national parks and centres for wildlife and forestry research and conservation.
Also present yesterday were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Edward Khoo and the US Ambassador to Malaysia Christopher J. Lafleur.
McMurray also presented a mock cheque for RM136,280 for the Borneo Sun Bear Research and Conservation project to Khoo.
She said the two projects also formed part of the ‘Heart of Borneo’ or transboundary project between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
“The importance of this project is not only the size, I was told that it is the biggest transboundary conservation project in Asia,”McMurray added.She had also travelled to several parts of Malaysia last week and put forward a total of US$400,000 for forest and wildlife conservation.
“We think this part of the world is extremely important.
“It has tropical forests that can’t be found in many places any more. Obviously Africa and South America have some as well,” she said.
The contributions are in keeping with the announcement made last year by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the US would support projects for the protection and sustainable development of forests in the region.
Musa, who is also Finance Minister, said the state government welcomed the contributions from the United States to forest and wildlife conservation in Sabah.
The Sabah Forestry Department and Sabah Foundation, he said, have had a very fruitful cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from all over the world.
“The contributions are for a good cause and we appreciate it,” the Chief Minister added.
Meanwhile Lafleur said Sabah was the first state that has been quick to make the ‘Heart of Borneo’ project a reality.
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DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
RM208,200 US aid for Sabah conservation projects
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah received US$60,000 (RM208,200) from the United States to help fund projects for the protection and sustainable development of forests in the State.
US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans, International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Claudia A. McMurray, presented a mock cheque to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at the latter's residence in Sri Gaya, here, Thursday.
As part of her visit here, McMurray presented a cheque for RM138,800 (US$40,000) to the Sun Bear and Bearded Pig Research and conservation project, and RM69,400 (US$20,000) to the Ulu Segama-Malua Forest Restoration project.
She also made a donation to a project at the Pulong Tau National Park in Sarawak.
These contributions are in keeping with the announcement made last year by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
McMurray, who is on her first visit to Malaysia, will visit Malaysian Government officials as well as tour several national parks and centres for research and conservation of wildlife and forestry.
Her bureau is responsible for a broad portfolio of global issues related to environmental protection and climate change, and conservation of the earth's resources.
