KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will expand its means of showcasing its marine parks through special publications, state Culture, Tourism and Environment minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said on Monday.
He was speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sabah Parks and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).
"Both have been working closely since 2004 and have published eight books (of high quality).
"(Currently), they are finishing an encyclopaedia on the biodiversity of the parks, and the agency's efforts in conserving the area," he added.
Previous publications by DBP and Sabah Parks include Rafflesia Bunga Terbesar Di Dunia by Sabah Parks director Dr Jamili Nais in 2004; Lotong Merah by Dr Maklarin Lakim; and Biologi dan Ekology Rusa Sambar Sabah by Fred Tuh – the latter two of which received the Chief Minister's Awards.
Also present at the MoU signing was assistant state Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming; Sabah Parks chairman of Board of Trustees Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mohamood Jamili; and DBP deputy director-general (policy) Datuk Abang Sallehuddin Abang Shokran.
Masidi added that Sabah Parks has done a good job of overseeing the parks under its purview.
Sabah has so far gazetted about two million hectares of marine park, which is equivalent to seven per cent of the state’s sea area.
Sabah Parks has also released about 17 million baby turtles out to sea.