Sabah Environmental Awards 2011

The community of Kampung Bundu Tuhan was awarded for their efforts in preserving the environment during the Sabah Environmental Awards 2011 held at the Tanjung Aru Shangri-la Resort and Spa in Kota Kinabalu recently. The award received from YB Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, had demonstrated the cooperation among Kampung Bundu Tuhan community in preserving the environment and establishing community forests which had been traditionally ‘tagal’ without the assistance or involvement from outside parties. In fact, their management was based on traditions and culture as agreed by the community. As such, this kind of award was meaningful because it proved that all efforts by community leaders over the years had not been in vain and the community should be rewarded accordingly.

According to YB Datuk Masidi, the government had allocated millions of ringgit to promote tourism in Sabah but it would be pointless if the people did not care for the cleanliness of the environment. They should act by using the proper channel to voice any comments about environmental cleanliness. YB Datuk Masidi also congratulated Sabah Environmental Awards 2011 committee for their success in organising a magnificent ceremony and most importantly, the ceremony which was held for the fifth time had stressed on the importance of environmental care and conservation. In addition to the minister’s special award to the community involved, there were other categories of environmental awards competed which were won by Sekolah Menengah St Michael, Penampang, Sabah Forestry Department, Shangri-la Resort & Spa as well as Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort and Penampang District Council. (KK12: 3 November 2011 – By: Azizah Ayub)