Malaysia's ICSC Can Become Global Research Hub For Biodiversity Conservation - State Chief Minister

KINABATANGAN (Sabah, Malaysia), March 27 (Bernama) -- The Imbak Canyon Studies Center (ICSC) can become a global research hub for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said on Tuesday. "The centre will give priority to local and international researchers and academicians to carry out in-depth studies on the plants in terms of their medicinal value, as well as other living organisms in the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), which may not be found anywhere else in the world. "The whole community can benefit from this centre. Therefore, it is important for us to enhance the role of this centre, especially in terms of educating and providing awareness to the younger generation on the importance of preserving the environment and biodiversity," he told reporters after opening the RM77-million centre sponsored by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) in Tongod near here. Mohd Shafie said the Parti Warisan Sabah-led state government greatly emphasised on the importance of preserving the treasures of the state’s forests for the future generation. "It is the government's responsibility to preserve the common heritage," he said. At the event, Mohd Shafie also witnessed the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding between the Sabah Group Foundation and the Petronas Foundation in exploring the potential of sustainable development programmes at ICCA. -- BERNAMA