Sabah Forestry Department

45

9Publicity & Awareness

The year 2008 was another eventful year and has brought about quite delightful notes to the records of the Forestry

Department. The Public Relations and Publicity Division is proud to be involved in some of the programs.

Activitiesi. Ceremonial Events It has become a tradition in the department to celebrate Chinese New Year with the family members of the staff at the Forestry headquarters. As a symbol of unity and prosperity amongst the multiracial community in the department, the Chinese New Year celebration was held on the 6th February 2008 at the Dataran Hijau. On this auspicious day, a lion

dance was performed followed by the distribution of oranges and ang pows to the children. This year saw the Department working in close collaboration with other organizations in its effort to pursue the conservation of wildlife habitats in Sabah. Several MOUs were signed between the private sector and government. On

Publicity & Awareness

28th January 2008, this Division assisted in the coordination of the MOU signing ceremony between the Sabah Forestry Department and HSBC for the conservation of Orangutans in Deramakot Forest Reserve. This was followed by the signing of the MOU on forest restoration in Ulu Segama on 21st May 2008 with WWF and another MOU with Newforests, Sabah Foundation and HSBC on the establishment of the wildlife habitat conservation bank for the Malua Forest Reserve (Malua Biobank) on 14th August 2008. The Department also entered into a partnership agreement with Sime Darby on the restoration and protection of Orang Utan habitats in Northern Ulu Segama on 4th December 2008.

Apart from the signing ceremonies, the staff of this Division also assisted in the preparation of many launching ceremonies particularly in handling the protocol and reception activities. One of the events was the launching of the publication on “Malaysia Sustainable Community Forest Management in Sabah”. The publication by UNDP is one of the six outputs of the Mangkuwagu Forest Reserve Project which was undertaken jointly with the Sabah Forestry Department. The launching of this publication was held on 24th March 2008 at Lok Kawi, Kota Kinabalu. Subsequent activities included the annual “Malam Q” which took place at the Hakka Association Hall, Sandakan on 28th March 2008. It turned out to be a glittering night with the presence of the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj. Aman as the Guest of Honour. On this auspicious occasion, 36 staff of the Department received their excellence service award certifi cates and a cheque of RM 1,000 each. With the cooperation of the other divisions, particularly the Quality Management Division and the Human Resource Development Division, this Division led in the preparation of the grand gala dinner which included the arrangement and decoration of the hall, the preparation of the programme, invitations and entertainment.

The children were happy to be close to the ‘lion’

Datuk Sam giving out angpow and oranges to the children at the celebration

Staff of the SFD and the Event & Cooperate Division of Sabah Foundation at the Malua Bio Bank signing ceremony

46 Annual Report 2008

Sabah Forestry Department

The professionalism of the forestry team in organizing and managing the protocol and usherettes’ work, and using gimmicks for opening ceremonies may look like simple tasks but they actually impressed some guests from other agencies. One of them is the Leap Organization who invited the department to assist them in their “gala dinner” reception held on 14th November 2008 in conjunction with their fund raising activity for the protection of Sun bears in Sabah. In support of the national campaign of promoting domestic tourism, this Division also worked with the Sandakan Municipal Council and Tourism Malaysia in organizing the launching of “Zoom Malaysia” at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sepilok. The launching was offi ciated by Dato’ Seri Azalina Othman, Malaysian Tourism Minister on 28th November 2008. As the main aim of the campaign is to promote local holiday destinations as the preferred choice among Malaysians, it is hoped that guests and visitors can zoom in on what RDC has to offer to holiday makers and nature enthusiasts. Earlier, the Division also facilitated in the opening of the Environmental Education (EE) Conference at RDC on 19th November 2008 by State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Elron Angin.

ii. Public Awareness Programme On 17th and 18th January, by invitation from the Institute of International Affairs, London, the Director of Forestry blissfully unveiled this year’s programs that presented Sabah’s approach to sustainable forest management (SFM) and conservation held at the Institute’s head offi ce at Chatham House, London. This Division gathered some of the Departmental publications including DVDs on the Department’s programs which were distributed as souvenirs to relevant people in London, during the presentation.

The joy and spirit of the staff of the Division were boosted when the exhibition in which they helped to organize won fi rst prize at the “Pesta Rumbia” which is held annually at Kuala Penyu. This Division also participated in the school exhibition at SMK Agama, Sandakan from 2nd - 4th May 2008 in creating awareness among school students on the importance of forest conservation. The staff carried out various activities with a parade of splendid games to attract students on civic consciousness. The Sabah Forestry Department has been appointed to be one of the panel of judges for the semi-fi nal category for the SERASI competition. From April 2008, the staff from this Division led the panel of judges to visit primary and secondary schools in Sandakan, Tawau, Kudat, Kota Kinabalu, Beaufort/Sipitang and Keningau. There were approximately 60 schools visited. SERASI is an abbreviation of Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar. It was introduced to acknowledge the efforts by schools in Sabah in promoting environmental education and

Malam Q Activities

(Left to right) A surprise birthday celebration for the Chief Minister of Sabah, in conjunction with his 57th birthday which falls on 30th March; Datuk Sam presenting a memento to the Chief Minister and; a recipient (Rita Garcia) receiving an excellence service award certifi cate

(Left to right) Mr. Rahim Sulaiman, Deputy Director of SFD sings together with Jacqueline Victor, winner of Malaysian Idol 2004; an outstanding angklong performance and; a wonderful dazzling dance by the staff of SFD

The Director of Forestry at the Chatham House

Sabah Forestry Department

47

creating awareness amongst their students, teachers and staffs. Four categories have been contested which are WIRA Harapan, WIRA SERASI (both for primary and secondary schools), Pengetua/Guru Besar SERASI Award and Guru SERASI Award. The award presentation ceremony for 2007/2008 was held on 25th October 2008 at Tun Raffee Auditorium, Menara Tun Mustapha, Kota Kinabalu. The Sabah Forestry Department received a prize and certifi cates at this award presentation ceremony as an appreciation for their cooperation in the judging competition committee. This competition was jointly organized by the Environmental Protection Department, the Sabah Forestry Department, Science and Technology Unit, Chief Minister’s Department, Environmental Action Committee Sabah, Department of Environment, Sabah Education Department, Sabah Wetlands Convention Society (Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre) and Shell Malaysia.

No Event Design

1. MoU between the State Government of Sabah and HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad on Grant to Implement a Project in Deramakot Forest Reserve

Banner

2. Chinese New Year Celebration at Headquarters Sabah Forestry Department Banner and billboard

3. Quality Night Programme book, certifi cates, backdrop and banner

4. MoU on Forest Restoration of Ulu Segama Banner

6. MoU with New Forests on Malua Bio- Bank Programme book, certifi cates, backdrop, billboard, streamer and banner

7. MoU between Sabah Forestry Department and WWF Banner

8. MoU Between Sabah Forestry Department and Sime Darby Banner and backdrop

9. Hari Raya Celebration Banner and billboard

10. Merdeka Celebration Banner and billboard

11. Christmas Celebration Banner and billboard

12. Dato’ Azalina Othman’s visit to RDC Banner

iii. VisitsThere were also many visits to the Department especially to the newly opened RDC at Sepilok and the Lok Kawi Offi ce at Kota Kinabalu. The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Puan Sri Jeanne Abdullah visited RDC for the second time on 1st June 2008 in conjunction with the announcement of RDC being chosen to host the “HUTAN MALAYSIA - Rainforest Flora and Fauna Festival 2010”. Other visitors were the Director and offi cials from the Sarawak Forest Department on 19th August 2008, CEO of MBSB, Tan Sri Abdul Halim bin Ali on 23rd August, the Director of Department of Public Service Administration, on 27th December 2008.

iv. PublicationsThe publication unit of this division was also involved in designing programme books, certifi cates, banners, backdrops, billboards and streamers for most of the department’s events held this year (Table 9.1).

Hari Raya billboard Signing Ceremony of Malua Forest Reserve (Malua BioBank) backdrop banner

Signing Ceremony of State Government of Sabah and Sime Darby Plantation Sdn. Bhd. backdrop banner

Table 9.1: List of designs by the Public Relations and Publicity Division

Publicity & Awareness

48 Annual Report 2008

Sabah Forestry Department

The publication unit has a blend of multiple tasks including video shooting, photo taking and photo/video editing for all the events which are organized by the department. At the same time, the preparation of designing the Annual Report and the yearly Calendar diary is also managed by this unit. In addition to that, this division has assisted the preparation of script writing for the Master of Ceremony for offi cial events, and scripts for two radio interviews. The fi rst interview script was for an environmental education program organized by the Environmental Education Network (SEEN). The interview was aired on the 12th November by RTM (Radio Television Malaysia), in which Mr. Yusof Awang of this division talked about “Conserving Our Forests”. The second script was for a radio show which was aired on 28th November, in which, the Director of Forestry, talked about “Lower Kinabatangan –Segama Wetlands”, Sabah’s fi rst and Malaysia’s largest RAMSAR site.

v. OthersThe Forestry Headquarters also won fi rst prize in the Landscape and Offi ce Building Beautifi cation Competition organized by the Ministry of Local Housing on 28th August 2008. The judgement was based on the number of fl ags being put up during the “Merdeka Month” and the creativity in decorating the offi ce using Merdeka elements, such as the logo, colors and fl ags as the theme. This Division teamed up with the staff of the Project Management & General Services Division to come up with creative ideas to beautify the lobby of the Headquarters building, which was the main display area for the competition. The lobby of the Forestry Headquarters was also used as a display area for other occasions. In conjunction with the many joyous festivals celebrated by multiracial Malaysians, this Division sets the mood and spirit of celebrating the diverse and colourful festivals such as Chinese New Year,

Chinese New Year decorations

Some of the games organized for the children at the ‘Family Day”

Hari Raya decorations

Christmas decorations

Hari Raya, Harvest Festival, Merdeka Day and Christmas with vivid colours of decorations. Publicity is one component of promotion. Hence, the publicity that this Division has done in the lobby is in fact to promote the department’s image and credibility. We believe that the profound image of a well managed organization is refl ected by its innovativeness, cleanliness and beautifi cation programme. Two projects under the Ninth Malaysian Plan, namely, the upgrading of the Printing Unit and the Environmental Education project, progressed as planned. Another observation tower was built to fulfi ll the outdoor nature education programs, and 3 new signboards were also installed which provided important information about the Taman Warisan (Heritage Park). Jane Howand quotes about family – “Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe or call it a family. Whatever you call it wherever you are, you need one”. In the spirit of unity as a family and with the objective of fostering good relationships amongst staff members, this Division organized their fi rst “Family Day” on 8th November, 2008 at the Headquarters. The event kicked off with various exciting games and competitions for staff and family members. Some lucky winners also walked home with attractive prizes won in lucky draws and competitions.

Conclusion Enough said, this Division is very proud to belong to such an esteemed organization like the Sabah Forestry Department. Not only does the Department look into the “big picture” to address global issues on Forest Conservation and the like, but also the nitty gritty details like how to improve the offi ce buildings, landscape beautifi cation and offi ce cleanliness. This Division will continue to explore different possibilities in order to further improve the performance and image of this Department.