ACAP�s press launch was held on 8 June 1998 at the Bilik Taklimat, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE), Wisma Sime Darby. The Deputy Minister, Datuk Abu Bakar Daud officially launched the five campaign advertisements, created by J. Walter Thompson (JWT) which will be air on TV and in the newsprint soon. About 30 members of the press and TV attended this press launch and an interview held between the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) officers on the tiger, Sumatran rhino, turtle, bear and elephant. Dr Roy, Stella, Melissa, Sonny, Melinda and Shan represented MNS. Ms Tamara Gray from Global Survival Network was also at the launch.

Asian Conservation Awareness Programme (ACAP) or Program Pemuliharaan dan Kesedaran Asia is a global multimedia campaign aimed at educating the public of the plight of endangered animals killed for their body parts for medicinal or ornamental use. Global Survival Network (GSN) from UK, is the international co-ordinator for this programme. This campaign has been launched in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. In Malaysia, MNS is the local counterpart which will be organising this campaign in collaboration with DWNP. JWT, a leading advertising agency and Hill & Knowlton, an international public relations agency are the other partners in this campaign. The Chinese Medicine (TCM) will also be involved in supporting the program, one of them is Eu Yang Sang.

The objectives of ACAP Malaysia are:

1. To distribute the ACAP message " When the buying stops, the killing can too." Dramatically raise public awareness about threats to wildlife in Asian communities.
2. To stop the illegal trade in endangered species and / or their parts.
3. To educate the public on the decreasing number of endangered of animals due to trade in their parts.
4. Obtain support in other conservation projects.
5. Raise DWNP's and MNS' profile.

Follow �Up

A meeting has been arranged with the relevant parties to plan for the official launching and the effective implementation of the campaign somewhere in early August 1998.