PUTRAJAYA, 10 July 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation and Pulau Banding Foundation today to conduct research and educate the public to appreciate the nation’s leading treasures, namely the orangutan and the flora and fauna of the Belum Rainforest around Pulau Banding.

The document of understanding was signed by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman on behalf of USM while the Orang Utan Island Foundation was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Dr. D. Sabapathy and Pulau Banding Foundation was represented by its Chairman Dato’ Emeritus Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Mohamad.

Both Foundations also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, represented by its Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Noor Azlan Ghazali Ahmad.

Also present to witness the MoU signing were Minister of Education II Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh and the Chairman of the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island and Pulau Banding Foundation Adviser, Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Hj Mustapha Kamal bin Hj Abu Bakar.

Others present were Secretary General II, Ministry of Education Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang; Director of the Department of Higher Education Professor Dato’ Dr. Asma Hj. Ismail; Chairman of USM Board of Governors Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Zulkefli A. Hassan and senior officers of the Ministry of Education.

In his speech, Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Hj Mustapha Kamal bin Hj Abu Bakar said that the country should be proud of its heritage which is the orang utan and a treasure trove of flora and fauna that are more than 130 million years old.

"Our main aim is to embark on the conservation, restoration, research and education programmes related to the importance of safeguarding these treasures like the endangered orangutan and to ensure the conservation efforts that began about 14 years ago have paid off and now need to be strengthened with research efforts and development through the expertise of USM and UKM," said Mustapha.

He also expressed concern over the exploration and illegal hunting in Pulau Banding which should be preserved and used for the purpose of educating the public on the biodiversity richness of Belum Rainforest.

"Even though such activities generate good income, it should not be done at the expense of destroying our natural heritage," said Mustapha.

He added that because of that, the two foundations hope that with the expertise of USM and UKM, it would help to sustain the efforts made, particularly through research.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh assured that he and his ministry are fully supportive of the efforts made and requested USM and UKM to realise the efforts made especially through the MoU signed. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text & Photo: Mohamad Abdullah