Christina (centre), flanked by Mario (on her right) and Zulkifly, with other guests after presenting tokens of appreciation. Fourth from left is Jamili.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah places great emphasis on wildlife conservation efforts, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
She said the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan is a fine example of such emphasis and was initiated in the 1960s to rehabilitate orangutans for their eventual return to the wild.
“The centre is successful and has continued its mission until today.
In addition, we have the Sun Bear Conservation Centre also located in Sepilok, and the Bornean Elephant Sanctuary in Kinabatangan,” Liew, who is also Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, said at the
Farewell Dinner for PATA Adventure Travel Conference and Mart 2020 on Friday. (PATA stands for Pacific Asia Travel Association).
According to her, a sanctuary for pangolins to be located in the Tawau Hills Park is in the pipeline.
Liew said the Government’s most recent approval for the State Elephant Action Plan (2020-2029) was a clear manifestation of its commitment to conservation of the declining elephant population in the state.
“The Plan seeks to protect and conserve the remaining elephant population in the state, estimated at between 1,500 and 2,000, and prevent their extinction,” she explained.
Some 300 people comprising tourism players, hoteliers, airline representatives, media practitioners and bloggers from 33 countries attended the dinner hosted by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) at Pacific
Sutera Hotel.
Among the guests were Consul-General of Negara Brunei Darussalam in Kota Kinabalu, Awang from Hipni Matarsad, Consul-General of Japan in Kota Kinabalu, Shiho Kako, Honorary Consul for the United Kingdom in Kota Kinabalu, David Powel, Ibu Rima Diah Pramudyawati representing the Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kota Kinabalu, Chief Executive Officer of PATA, Dr Mario Hardy from Thailand, Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Planning), Zulkifly Md Said, Director of Tourism Malaysia, Sabah, Jamilah Halim and CEO of MasWings, Aminuddin Zakaria.
Also present were the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr Jamili Nais, STB Chairman Ken Pan Ying On, PATA Board Member cum STB General Manager Noredah Othman and President of Matta, Datuk Tan Kok Liang.