PENANG, 8 October 2013 – The Sultan of Terengganu, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, suggested that the effort to develop Malaysia research station in Antarctica can be realised for the benefit of the world research within and outside the country.

Tuanku Mizan who is also patron of the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM) said that the existence of the station is also deemed as a proactive move in establishing the Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme (MARP) thereby bringing glory to the country.

He said that Malaysia has now reached a point where many researchers have managed to set foot on Antarctica although they have yet to establish their own research stations on the continent.

“If local scientists are able to prove themselves in such a situation, it makes me think that Malaysia can move forward in the development of Antarctic research.

“The passion and commitment shown by the government also motivated researchers to conduct scientific research in Antarctica as well as bringing the vision of the country in sharing key information found in the Antarctic with the world,” he said.

He said this when opening the 6th Malaysian International Seminar on Antarctica conference (MISA6) in Batu Ferringhi here today. Also present was the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin, and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal.

MISA is a biennial event started in 2002 under the auspices of the MARP with the aim to gather researchers from countries that are actively involved in the Antarctic and Arctic research to present their research results.

It was jointly organised by MARP, YPASM, National Antarctic Research Centre (NARC), USM, and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

The hosting of MISA was attended by participants from countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Poland and thus it has created new opportunities for Malaysian researchers to collaborate and contribute effectively towards the research in the polar regions. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md Isa