Our food sources could be gone too..

Pitas villagers rail against prawn project expansion Published on: Thursday, April 28, 2016 http://dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=109229 Kota Kinabalu: Villagers from six kampongs in Pitas are riled up after learning that the company managing a prawn farm project nearby wants to expand its operation at the expense of the villagers' 1,000 acres of NCR mangrove area. "About two weeks ago, we were approached by a group of people claiming to be officials from the Environment Protection Department (EPD), or a private NGO or consultants, depending on who they were interviewing. "They informed us that there was to be an expansion of the existing prawn farm to a further 1,000 acres of the remaining mangrove area and wished to know if we agreed or not," said Mastupang Somoi, the chairman of an action committee tasked to bring the matter to the public's knowledge. He explained that for nine generations, the 2,500 indigenous people from the six villages have relied heavily on the mangroves for their food supplies and livelihood. And about four years ago, 2,300 acres of mangroves in Kg Kuyuh were destroyed to make way for the prawn farm project. "Ever since the destruction of the mangroves to be converted into a prawn farm, our source of protein and other resources have depleted tremendously. Not only that, our fresh water supply had also been affected as five tributaries were blocked and diverted into the project site to water the ponds," said Somoi. The project, a joint-venture between a State Government-linked company and a private company from the peninsula, is one of the Government's projects to eradicate poverty. It was hoped the project which was launched in 2013 would provide 3,000 job opportunities to the people, majority of whom are in the hardcore poverty bracket. The RM1.23 billion mega-project also aimed to propel the district into the centre for food production in the State. Sadly, he said an inside source revealed that currently only five ponds, each about an acre, are operational and the project only employs about 40 workers, 30 of them locals while the rest are skilled foreign labour. The project is supposed to operate 1,540 ponds. "We are very unhappy that they have the nerve to expand into, and thus destroy, the remaining 1,000 acres when they could not even manage what they already have. The project is a failure because even shops in Pitas and Kota Marudu do not want to buy their products because they are not fresh," he said. Somoi also lamented that while the project was supposed to improve the socio-economy of the people, it had actually made them poorer due to depletion of resources from the mangrove areas. "They promised the project would bring modern infrastructure to our doorstep. But instead, the water supply never reached us but only went as far as the project area and roads remain unattended. "The remaining 1,000 acres is a sensitive area that houses traditional sacred sites and must be preserved. We will protect this remaining mangrove area, and if this area is destroyed, it would also mean the death of our traditions, and our source of income," he said. Last year, he recalled, the company had encroached into the NCR land with their excavators and other heavy machineries, bent on destroying the mangroves but a resolute protest mounted by the villagers in Kg Sungai Eloi, which is one of the six villages, chased them away. Over the years, numerous letters of protest and request for interventions have been sent to the relevant government departments and agencies but all the villagers heard back was silence. "We the indigenous community are not against development, but development needs to be balanced and sustainable. Many promises were made to us since 2013. But after three years of experiencing unsustainable practices of the developer, we do not agree to the expansion of this project. "It has not benefitted us as a community. The company has repeatedly conducted business without following the law. When we lodged complaints against them, they merely received a slap on their wrist," he said. A representative from Kg Datong, Noridah Samad, said it is better that the 1,000 acres of mangroves be left alone and converted into a sustainable agro-tourism product because of its biodiversity. The mangrove area is home to more than 300 proboscis monkeys, numerous kinds of birds, including rare birds such as hornbills and kingfishers, and at night, the place would be lit up by fireflies. "In fact, we have already started the project right now. We have dug up a well and left a tank of water for the proboscis monkeys to come and drink. We have raised awareness among the villagers not to hunt animals in the mangrove area anymore. "We are currently in the middle of building shelters so visitors could come and watch the nightlife in the mangroves or even stay there if they so wished. The area has big tourism potential. "It is always better to preserve the environment and work with nature rather than destroy it for quick bucks," she said. The six villages are Kg Sungai Eloi, Kg Datong, Kg Telaga, Kg Gumpa, Kg Ungkup and Kg Boluuoh.

Pollution is the main root cause of cancer but many people survive on poor diet

This is because tumors were rare until recent times, when pollution and poor diet became an issue. http://www.viralalternativenews.com/2016/04/disturbing-researchers-finally-confirm.html https://www.facebook.com/groups/581685765319921/

Please let me have your points

I have to write many letters to secure 100% support for this SEE Sabah 2016 and please let me have your important points not yet raised by me.

Promotional sheets

The partnership/sponsorship/donation programme (see benefits below) We have designed the following programmes (packages) for your support and participation 1. Partnership for donations of RM1m and above 1.1 Federal Government of Malaysia RMX minimum – MOU would be signed. The package would be as follows:- The Prime Minister launches SEE Sabah 2016 The participating relevant Government ministries, Government Departments, Government Agencies would be free, Booths/Accommodation/food/transport in Kota Kinabalu be provided. A seat in the Main Committee Plus as an option or regular reports to partners . 1.2 Sarawak State Government RMX minimum – MOU would be signed. The Chief Minister be present at the launch Relevant State Ministries, departments and agencies would participate for free. Booths/Accommodation/food/transport in Kota Kinabalu be provided. A seat in the Main Committee Plus as an option or regular reports to partners. 1.3 1.3 Sabah State Government RMX minimum – MOU would be signed. The Chief Minister be present at the launch Relevant State Ministries, departments and agencies would participate for free. Booths/Accommodation/transport in Kota Kinabalu be provided. A seat in the Main Committee Plus as an option or regular reports to partners. NB: The respective emblems would be in all documents. 2. Sponsorship by public listed and private companies (part & parcel of CSR) (Anything from RM100,000 to RM1m) Booth/s would be provided For RM0.5m and more, a seat in the launch platform plus logo in all documents For RM.1m, the logo only on the wall of the event. Sponsors may attend Press Conferences on invitation. Sponsors may sit on various sub-committees of choice. 3. Donations for booth/s negotiable It is dependent on the size and scale of contribution for relevant NGOs. Private trading/professional service companies can donate for the booth/s and such amounts would be decided later and likely to be RM10,000 for 7 days with deposit of 20% on commitment. NB: Book your place now with any generous donations. Why Fund and donations needed? It is obvious a lot of costs of organisation for the 7 days and the public is FOC with lots of attractions including free meals, refreshments for specific events like workshops, forums and seminars plus honorariums for speakers near and far, and finally total security plus the preparation of blueprint on environment. 4. What the Partners/sponsors/donees will benefit from the package? 1. With a small initial outlay for a commitment for such a wide exposure, it would cut down much administrative work; 2. The nation especially the Federal and State governments would tremendously reap the experience locally and globally; 3. Other sectors like GST, tourism, agriculture, food, transportation, trade and others would bring a much greater financial return for the outlay. 4. The SEE Sabah 2016 would expect a million visitors of all segment of society. 5. Finally, we would have an Environment Blueprint to bless all in our delicate and fragile earth. 6. Proper accounting would be done for public fund. Further details from Joshua Y. C. Kong jknow823@gmail.com; 60128380897; 60138394513 SABAH ENVIRONMENT EXPO 2016 (SEE Sabah 2016) What do we want to see in SEE Sabah 2016 where the Expo would deal with the major or most of the environment issues in Sabah vis-a-vis the region and the world concerning the Earth, Energy, Ecology, Economy and Environment plus the security or safety of the people. SEE Sabah 2016 would cover the 15 Major Current Environmental Problems namely 1. Pollution, 2. Global Warming; 3. Overpopulation: 4. Natural Resource Depletion: 5. Waste Disposal; 6. Climate Change: 7. Loss of Biodiversity: 8. Deforestation: 9. Ocean Acidification: 10. Ozone Layer Depletion: 11. Acid Rain: 12. Water Pollution: 13. Urban Sprawl: 14: Public Health Issues: 15. Genetic Engineering. The world as we have it now is certainly very much interrelated on earth with energy, ecology economy and how the environment can impact all of us and certainly we are quite helpless in most of these issues. Have we given up to most things around us? Can we do something together and show case what Sabah has been doing albeit not much to change much so far and so in doing lay the framework with a blueprint in all the 15 things mentioned above and more in many other things that can add up a lot like piling up to heaven in the environmental issues affecting all our lives for decades already. We need to put our heads together once again despite the latest Paris on Climate Change 2015 after Rio in 1992 as environment issues as presented are much larger in the scenario of the devastation of the earth. We need to right the wrongs aplenty and then claim solutions within our reach and steadily move in the right direction after the appropriate diagnosis. So SEE Sabah 2016 is the most appropriate forum now to move on with solid effort by all for all concerned. If any Government is looking for solutions and then benefits of whatever dimension, SEE Sabah 2016 is the place to be. Partnership/sponsorship with Koperasi Pengguna Sabah Bhd (KPSB) is very much appreciated to enable this event with maximum success. The bonus is just waiting for everyone especially visitors with the tourism potential in Sabah. The SEE Sabah 2016 would incorporate a range of activities such as forums, dialogues, workshops, competitions, seminars, conferences and surveys that would stretch from day times to night time. Electronic billboards would be additional medium to promote the event and the content of the event which can be viewed 24 hours throughout the event. Why SEE Sabah 2016? This event is long overdue as we in Sabah cannot to afford the last major bastions of natural assets like the mangrove swamps and the coral reefs after the deplete rain forests. Mangrove swamps and coral reefs are the major habitat of our much prized sea foods and other sea creatures especially horse shoe crabs of significant economic value. It is most timely with the rising temperature in global warming, SEE Sabah 2016 is the answer to mitigate the worsening scenario. When the daytime temperature reaches 35 deg C, photosynthesis stops and that can seriously impact our food production. The blueprint on environment would be prepared for reference, pro-active action and possibly legislation. Who should participate as partners, sponsors, participants, speakers, and others? The Federal Government and its relevant ministries and departments should come in as partners; The Sarawak State Government and Sabah State Government should also be partners. I will send them special invitation letters for SEE Sabah 2016 so that they cannot miss out this very important event after 53 years of Malaysia. As Partners they should help out with adequate financial and other support to ensure the event is a superb success. Partners from the private sector would also be expected to register their great interest in this event for win win scenario. We will meet them to enrol their support financially or otherwise. All partners would need to sign a Memorandum of Agreement for commitment. Many sponsors would be expected to be generous with their support financial and otherwise and financial support of RM100,000 to RM1m would be very much appreciated. Sponsors would be promoted throughout the event. Participants in specific activities such as speakers, panellists, moderators, consultants, and specialists would be very much appreciated. Sector from Non Government Organisations and private business enterprises should be expected to come in to make the event more complete. There would be enough booths to make their presence felt. The participation from the coop movement would be significant in the booths of the event. What would their roles be at SEE Sabah 2016? The roles of the aforementioned players would only be effective if transparency and accountability on environment prevail and with massive public contributions of ideas, demands and desires, it would make the blueprint a valuable tool.