Tanjung Lipat beach gets a clean-up

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KOTA KINABALU: Over 100 volunteers, including 40 staff of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), participated in a gotong-royong to clean up the Tanjung Lipat beach here yesterday.

GOTONG-ROYONG: Some of the more than 100 volunteers collecting rubbish on the Tanjung Lipat beach.

GOTONG-ROYONG: Some of the more than 100 volunteers collecting rubbish on the Tanjung Lipat beach.

The effort, jointly organised with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and City Hall, was aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of community involvement in the protection and conservation of the marine ecosystem, said FRIM Human Resource director Wan Rahmah Wan Roaf.

In celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, FRIM also hopes to enhance its contribution through research and involvement in community service activities for the well being of the society, she said.

The cleaning campaign also provided an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between FRIM and its counterparts in Sabah in the spirit of 1Malaysia, she added.

Wan Rahmah also said that in 2008, FRIM worked closely with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development to conduct a training and guidance programme for over 150 entrepreneurs in Sabah.

FRIM also cooperates with Eko Pulp & Paper Sdn Bhd on the setting up of the first integrated oil palm-based pulp and paper mill in Tawau.

Among others, FRIM collaborates with the Forest Research Centre at Sepilok in Sandakan on the tree flora of Sabah, and it is exploring training collaborations with UMS.