Publicity & Awareness - Sabah 09.pdf · Publicity & Awareness 47 9 The program activities in 2009...

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47 Publicity & Awareness 9 T he program activities in 2009 started with a meeting between the Director of Forestry, Datuk Sam Mannan with all senior officers of the department. It was held at the forestry auditorium on 23 rd January and was also attended by some 30 senior managers of Forest Management Units (FMUs) and some 60 staff from the headquarters, Forest Research Centre and the forestry district office of Sandakan. In his opening speech for the year 2009, the Director stressed on the need to implement Reduced Impact Logging in forest harvesting operations in all FMUs, to adhere to the EIA rules and regulations and also the crucial need to employ skilled and trained work force in all forest operation activities especially RIL, Silviculture and forest management. Publicity & Awareness in a guided tour to the Plant Discovery Garden, Orchid Exhibition and canopy tower by Datuk Sam Mannan. Other visits to the department that was coordinated by this division were from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Forestry Training School, Kepong on 25 th February and 15 th November respectively. Mdm Marianah Othman of PPH division briefed and accompanied them to Taman Warisan, Headquarters and RDC, Sepilok. Datuk Sam Mannan (inset) giving his amanat to the senior officers of the department on his meeting with them in 2009 Group photo with the Protocol Committee of the visit headed by the PPH Division Students of UMS listening to the talk given by Mdm Marianah Othman and (right) visit to the Taman Warisan, at Khazanah Forest Reserve. Datuk Sam Mannan receiving the arrival of Tuan Yang Terutama Yang DiPertua Negeri Sabah to RDC Visits This was followed by the majestic preparation for the visit of His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sepilok which was scheduled for 5 th February 2009. However due to heavy downpour and strong winds, the royal visit was cancelled at the eleventh-hour. Nonetheless the department felt privileged and honoured by the visit of the Tuan Yang Terutama, Yang DiPertua Negeri Sabah to the beautifully decorated RDC building on the same day. The honorable guests were briefed On 10 th Dec 2009, the Head of Public Relations & Forest Publicity Division (PPH), Mdm. Masniah Othman gave a presentation to about 80 members of the Sabah Tourist Guides Association on the Overview of Sabah Forestry Department: Past, Present and Future. This talk was part of the Continuous Tourism Related Education (CTRE) program which requires the tourist guides to update themselves with issues that are regarded as of high concern by the tourists. The talk was also attended by 5 forestry officers who assisted in a Q & A session to clarify matters concerning technicalities, facts and figures on the ground.

Transcript of Publicity & Awareness - Sabah 09.pdf · Publicity & Awareness 47 9 The program activities in 2009...

47Publicity & Awareness

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The program activities in 2009 started with a meeting between the Director of Forestry, Datuk Sam Mannan with

all senior officers of the department. It was held at the forestry auditorium on 23rd January and was also attended by some 30 senior managers of Forest Management Units (FMUs) and some 60 staff from the headquarters, Forest Research Centre and the forestry district office of Sandakan. In his opening speech for the year 2009, the Director stressed on the need to implement Reduced Impact Logging in forest harvesting operations in all FMUs, to adhere to the EIA rules and regulations and also the crucial need to employ skilled and trained work force in all forest operation activities especially RIL, Silviculture and forest management.

Publicity & Awareness

in a guided tour to the Plant Discovery Garden, Orchid Exhibition and canopy tower by Datuk Sam Mannan.

Other visits to the department that was coordinated by this division were from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Forestry Training School, Kepong on 25th February and 15th November respectively. Mdm Marianah Othman of PPH division briefed and accompanied them to Taman Warisan, Headquarters and RDC, Sepilok.

Datuk Sam Mannan (inset) giving his amanat to the senior officers of the department on his meeting with them in 2009

Group photo with the Protocol Committee of the visit headed by the PPH Division

Students of UMS listening to the talk given by Mdm Marianah Othman and (right) visit to the Taman Warisan, at Khazanah Forest Reserve.

Datuk Sam Mannan receiving the arrival of Tuan Yang Terutama Yang DiPertua Negeri Sabah to RDC

VisitsThis was followed by the majestic preparation for the visit of His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sepilok which was scheduled for 5th February 2009. However due to heavy downpour and strong winds, the royal visit was cancelled at the eleventh-hour. Nonetheless the department felt privileged and honoured by the visit of the Tuan Yang Terutama, Yang DiPertua Negeri Sabah to the beautifully decorated RDC building on the same day. The honorable guests were briefed

On 10th Dec 2009, the Head of Public Relations & Forest Publicity Division (PPH), Mdm. Masniah Othman gave a presentation to about 80 members of the Sabah Tourist Guides Association on the Overview of Sabah Forestry Department: Past, Present and Future. This talk was part of the Continuous Tourism Related Education (CTRE) program which requires the tourist guides to update themselves with issues that are regarded as of high concern by the tourists. The talk was also attended by 5 forestry officers who assisted in a Q & A session to clarify matters concerning technicalities, facts and figures on the ground.

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Sabah Forestry Department

Public Awareness ProgramThe government support and recognition on the importance of environmental education is proven by the official announcement of the State Cabinet’s approval on the implementation of the Sabah Environmental Education Policy on 8th April 2009. As an increasingly vital tool in environmental management alongside environmental assessment, enforcement, and conservation, environmental education should be enhanced further and effectively implemented at all levels of society. The Sabah Forestry department has in fact started the environmental education program long before this policy was endorsed, way back in 1985. To continue with this ongoing program, an Environmental Education Program was conducted in conjunction with the World Forestry Day on 20th June 2009 at Taman Warisan, Khazanah Forest Reserve. This program was participated by 50 students and 10 teachers from the 4 nearby schools: SMK Merpati, SMK Muhibbah, SMK Elopura and SMK Taman Fajar.

Datin Faridah, the Chairman of the Sabah Tourist Guide Association presented a memento to Mdm Masniah Othman (left) at the end of their CTRE Program in the Forestry headquarters.

Taman Warisan is located at the Khazanah Forest Reserve which is one of the 12 newly forest reserves gazetted in 2009. With the development of some basic infrastructure, it provides a good spot for forest recreation and education.

Appreciation towards nature and care for the environment should be nurtured at a young age, Environmental Education Program conducted at the Taman Warisan and (right) presenting a memento to one of the teacher

The need to conserve forests and the importance of the stability of the environment to the well being of human kind and animals were infused in games and presentations which were also participated by the parents of the students. Other environmental education programs have also been organised for the young visitors from the following Children Playschools:

Date School Number of Visitors

31 Mar 20091.Tadika St Monica 2. Tadika Lok Yuk

• 52 students • 9 Teachers• 15 parents

19 Aug 20091. Tabika Kemas 2. Taman Rimbawan

• 150 students• 11 Teachers

21 Oct 2009 1. Tabika Kemas Beluran • 22 students• 22 teachers/parents

This division also represented the department in environmental education programs organised by other agencies e.g., SEEN, SERASI and EE Race. An officer of this division, Mr. Yusof Awang sits in SEEN (Sabah Environment Education Network) committee which holds regular meetings in Kota Kinabalu and is also actively involved in the Environment-Friendly School Programme or Program Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar (SERASI). This year, the Forestry Department was again appointed for the fifth time as the coordinator for the evaluation of the semi-final level category. The department dispatched its staff who have been trained in SERASI assessment program to visit and evaluate the selected schools. Commencing from 2007, the program has been set to be carried out biannually i.e. (2009/2010). The visit and evaluation work for year 2009 would only be carried out in 2010. The officer in charge, Mr. Yusof Awang, was also assigned to give talks to the principals and headmasters at various districts throughout the state in the SERASI ROAD SHOW program. There are six main criteria to guide schools in implementing SERASI namely environmental management, environmental activities, greening the school, cleanliness, beautification of school and environmental innovation and cleanliness and friendly toilet.

Practical Training/Industrial TrainingA total of 70 students from various higher learning institutions in Malaysia have completed their practical/industrial training in the department in 2009. Industrial training is provided to undergraduate students from various schools of study in higher learning institutions during the long break at the end of each academic year. The PPH division coordinated the placement of students to the relevant offices within the department. As much as possible, the placement is arranged with giving

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The giant durian and giant takiding made of rumbia leaf were the biggest attractions at the Pesta GATA at Sipitang and (right) Pesta Rumbia at Kuala Penyu

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri billboard Hari Merdeka billboard

due consideration to their study course. However, there are cases where applications have to be processed based on logistical grounds such as distance to accommodation and transportation difficulties faced by the students. During the training period, trainees will be assigned to carry out specific projects in designated departments under proper supervision. The tasks given provide students with hands-on experience while at the same time fulfilling their practical training requirements for their degrees/diplomas. The department also sees this as an opportunity to train and identify students for future hire. At the invitation from University Malaysia Sabah on March 2009, Mr. Yusof Awang also made a presentation to the final year students of the International Tropical Forestry School on career opportunities in the Forestry and Park Management sectors.

PublicityThe unit of this division was involved in many publication works mainly in the artwork and design in the following table:

Book

• Design and prepare program book for Malam Q, 2009• Design and Typesetting Annual Report 2009• Design the cover book of the RIL book.• Design the cover for Production & Export Statistics of Forest Products.• Design the cover for Directory of Timber manufacturers, Processed Timber and Log Exporters in Sabah• Design and Prepare Berita Hutan• Prepare Department Telephone Directory

Designing Banner/Billboard/Backdrop

• Billboard “Hutan Kita, Khazanah Kita”• Billboard “Harvest Festival”• Billboard “Hari Raya Aidil Fitri”• Billboard “Hari Merdeka “• Design Backdrop & Banner for the Regional Forum on HOB• Design Banners for the Launching of the Eco-Camp Timbaan Tungog.

Others

• HOB logo design• Design and prepared the Certificate of Compliance (RIL)• Design and prepared Certificate of Appreciation/ Attendance for courses conducted by SFD• Prepare Congratulatory/Condolences messages for advertisements in local newspapers.

In depicting the good work and positive image of the department, the division has participated in 3 exhibitions held in Kuala Penyu, Sipitang and Kinabatangan. The attractive looking exhibition booths put up by the staff of PPH have not only won grand prizes but has also attracted the locals and other visitors to get some updates on forestry issues which were nicely displayed. In addition to that, special activities were also organized for primary school students such as drawing competition, quiz and wood puzzle.

Date Venue Prize won

3 July 2009 Exhibition in conjunction with Annual Pesta Rumbia

1st Prize

1 August 2009 Exhibition in conjunction with Pesta GATA (Gasing & Tamu Besar Festival)

2nd Prize

19 - 21 November 2009

Exhibition in conjunction with Community Service Program (KHADUM) P187 Kinabatangan

Exhibitions conducted

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OthersIn carrying out the responsibilities assigned to this division to promote programs in line with high moral values (Nilai-nilai murni) under the auspices of the Integrity and Finance Management Committee (Jawatankuasa Keutuhan dan Kewangan), this division has organised activities with the aim to inculcate good moral values to be practiced by the staff and followed as their way of life and work culture. On 28th Sept 2009, this Division led a committee to organise the Malam Aidil Fitri where the concept of 1Malaysia that is to promote Malaysian unity, religious and ethnic tolerance as well as a deeper appreciation of our cultural diversity was leisurely interpreted.

Talks on nilai-nilai murni at the Forestry Auditorium

The creations of decoration at the foyer set the cheerful Harvest Festival mood (above) and (below) Christmas Day in the Headquarters.

Director of forestry giving an ang pow to the lion dance group who performed during the Chinese New year Celebration at the Headquarters on 23rd January 2009

The guest of Honor, Datuk Peter Pang presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Indra H.P. Sunjoto during Malam Q, the annual dinner and (below) guest artiste, Miss Rossa lightheartedly shared jokes with the audiences on 25th May 2009

Mdm. Masniah presented a memento to one of the students who have graduated from the Forest Ranger Certificate Course at Forestry Training Institute (11th March 2009)

The nilai-nilai murni programs being carried out were:

Date Activities

16 June 2009 Talk on Cervical Cancer with the objective to promote awareness among the female staff on the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

24 July 2009 Seminar Nilai Murni27 Sept 2009 Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Open House Reception

Jan – Dec 2009 Decorating Headquarters foyer and office in conjunction with major celebrations:• Chinese New Year • Harvest Festival• National day• Hari Raya Aidil Fitri• Christmas

Activities In Pictures in 2009

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2009 was a quite challenging year for all nations; it started with the pandemic influenza HINI and ended with the turmoil in global weather. Climate change problem is high on the agenda. The challenges posed by climatic changes have pushed all nations to switch their attention to green technology in the effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the air.

The forestry sector has always been linked to deforestation that causes global warming and environmental devastation. Therefore we, the foresters have the responsibility to educate people in the forest and wood based industries about adapting or on the commercialization of the green technology to move the nation towards a low carbon economy for a more sustainable future.

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.

–Peter F. Drucker