Another location rich in natural resources, Pulau Sembilan will be the first area in the state of Perak to be gazetted as a Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Pulau Sembilan, which is located about 10 nautical miles from Pulau Pangkor, consists of nine clusters of small islands. It is famous for its natural beauty of flora and fauna.
The Pulau Sembilan Conservation Day ceremony was officiated by HRH Raja DiHilir Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain ibni Almarhum Sultan Idris A’fifullah Shah yesterday.
It was also attended by the Chief of Manjung Colony, Toh Seri Bijaya Lt. Col. (B) Dato’ Shaharudin Haji Nazari and Director of the Perak State Park Corporation, Mohamed Shah Redza Hussein. Also present were the Chairman of the Manjung Municipal Council (MPM), Syamsul Hazeman Md. Salleh and Deputy Commander of the Western Fleet of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RLDM), First Admiral Farizal Mayor.
Conservation is seen as not only to help preserve and conserve nature, but it can also be used as an area for research and education in the marine field.
Among the activities carried out during this programme was the presentation of the results of the Perak Fisheries Department’s research and beach cleaning by volunteers from non-governmental organisations such as Sahabat Alam activists and the Ipoh Lions club.
Professional divers and TLDM divers were also involved in the programme to carry out underwater clean-up around Pulau Sembilan.
Meanwhile, MPM in a statement informed that the local authorities welcomed the organisation of programmes like this because it gave a message to the people about the importance of taking care of nature. According to the statement, this step can help preserve the sustainability of marine life. When marine life is preserved then human life will also be preserved.
“Seafood will always benefit the fishermen and this will help food security in Malaysia.
“MPM is ready to cooperate with other government departments to ensure that the objective of preserving and conserving the environment is guaranteed,” said the statement.
by Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
