MKS

The MKS has received infomation that Bukit Jabak Puyuh in Pahang is to be quarried for limestone. We are very concerned about this development and have sent a letter to the company in question expressing our misgivings and requesting a dialogue with them.

Here is an excerpt of the letter. Click HERE to download the full letter.   

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The Malaysian Karst Society office at Jln. Sultan Azlan Shah is temporarily closed due to lack of staff. If you need to contact the society, please call any of the  executive committee as listed on the left of this page.

President's Message April 2008

The MKS 6th AGM was held a few weeks ago marking one year since this Committee was elected into office. This may be a good time to reflect on the last year and also to think about the future of MKS.

In the past one year, MKS has been able to gain some recognition, at least among its fellow environmental NGOs when it was accepted as a member of MENGO or the Malaysian Environmental Non Governmental Organization. Membership in MENGO allows MKS to network and cooperate with other environmental NGOs for mutual benefit. An advantage for a small young organization like MKS.

The past Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Dato Seri Azmi Khalid was also introduced to MKS when yours truly met the Minister at his office in Putrajaya. We discussed several projects of national interest, specifically the Cave and Karst Database Project, the Kinta Valley Project and the Wang Mu Streamway Expedition. The latter project was brought up as it is located in the Minister's home state of Perlis. I also took the opportunity to introduce MKS to him. He indicated that his Ministry would be very supportive of our work and promised to assist us in any way possible. He mentioned that he may not be the Minister after the election but promised to help in his personal capacity.

The formation of the MKS Technical Advisory Group (TAG) with 8 members occurred last year. Currently with 8 members and the President as the Coordinator, it had its first meeting last year. It is hoped that TAG can help strengthen MKS's technical capacity.

Another group of limestone hills is threatened by quarrying. This time its Gunung Senyum and Gunung Jabak Puyuh at the Jengka Triangle in Pahang (see the Trips Section if you'd like to visit these two hills). MKS with support from other fellow Malaysian conservation organizations wrote to YTL's CEO to record our objection to this plan. We have not heard from YTL although they said that Tan Sri Francis Yeoh has read the letter.

As for the immediate future, MKS will be taking advantage of the change in governments in several states particularly Perak where we hope to engage with the State Government especially regarding the ongoing rampant quarrying activities that is resulting in the destruction of Ipoh's scenic limestone hills.

We also hope to obtain new funding sources to diversify MKS's income. This is very important as we are already 5 years old and it is really time start ensuring the long term sustainability of our society well into the future. To this end, several projects will be actively marketed for funding.

It goes without saying that there is much to be done with the limited resources available to MKS. This society is crucial to the future of Malaysian Cave and Karst and we are hopeful that MKS will eventually play an important role in the conservation, better management and increased awareness of the importance of our cave and karst.

The MKS is looking for an Ipoh based volunteer to help with the Cave and Karst Database Project. This volunteer must be familiar and have experience in Linux and have basic programing skills. He/she will be working with and assisting MKS to maintain and develop a database software and will be based at the MKS office in Ipoh. This is a volunteer job although it may be converted into a paying position in the future depending on funding. Please contact Hymeir at 019-4428926 for more information.

KARST NEWS LATEST ISSUE (Vol. 5, Issue 1)

The MKS wins an award from the Perak Tourist Association.

The Malaysian Karst Society has been recognised by the Perak Tourism Association for promoting and supporting eco-tourism in the state. On July 14th, the MKS received an award at the 'Perak Tourism Appreciation Awards 2007 ' ceremony held at the State Banquet Hall.

Twenty three other organisations also received awards in recognition for their contribution to the development of the tourism industry in the state. The awards were presented by the State Tourism committee chairman, Datuk Radzi Manan.

The MKS was among four non-governmental organisations that were honoured at the ceremony. The other NGO's are the Tambun Pomelo Growers' Association, Persatuan Pemulihan Orang Cacat and NTUC Income Travel.