Hi Everybody,
In a few weeks the branch will be holding its Annual General Meeting
at the Ipoh Swimming Club and a new committee will be elected to run the
branch and help achieve members’ aspirations for a more dynamic and focussed
NGO. I shall offer my services to the branch again if members feel that
the branch has achieved a reasonable level of performance during the past
year. It is therefore vital that all members attend the AGM that will elect
the right people to the committee to ensure that the branch keeps on improving
despite current challenges and changes in the economic, technological and
political environment. If you feel strongly for your society please make
it a point to attend.
More and more people realise the importance
of Nature and its relation with our everyday lives but are they doing anything
constructive about it. The MNS does and it does so in a scientific and
professional manner so that we can confront our detractors with well-researched
information to back our arguments. Our president has been most vocal in
voicing our concerns to the authorities and so his comments have been reproduced
in our newsletter to show members that the MNS has not kept silent on a
number of issues. Members are also given the full stories as often our
letters to the press have been edited and watered down “for space and clarity
reasons”. An ex-MNS member felt we should
not publish “the rumblings of a silly old man” but I think the majority
of you know better. Without him how many Malaysians of his wisdom and sagacity
would care to comment on developments that affect our natural heritage,
presenting well-researched and reasoned thoughts to back our stand.
Donations are still coming in for the
Building Fund which will help the branch to eventually own and operate
a Nature Education Research and Monitoring Centre. To date it has accumulated
more than RM5,000.00 with the profits from the sale of postcards and other
items trickling in. I must admit that my professional work does not allow
me to devote too much of my time for fund raising but I shall persevere
in this direction by helping to generate ideas for fund raising and helping
to create a conducive environment for them to bear fruit. Hence I hope
the new committee will include new faces who will see to the successful
execution and completion of such programs.
Looking over the activities over the
past year I am very satisfied with the performance of our branch although
I must admit things could have been much better. A few activities met with
poor response which may be a result of poor communication, the prevailing
economic conditions and timing of the events (too close to other major
events). Of course it would have been excellent if we were able to participate
in the State development plans to safeguard our natural heritage — our
forests, mountains and the seas. We are a small NGO without a strong financial
base. Nevertheless we were still able to carry out almost an activity every
week officially and many other activities which were not reported but contributed
to the enhancement of the branch image and achievements. I would to specially
thank Dr. Chan Kai Soon for starting an alternative homepage to complement
the site started by Mr. Stewart Forbes. Special thanks to Ms. Lee Yuat
Wah and all the volunteers for helping to organise the two nature camps.
Running the “normal activities” of the branch is a handful — we need more
helping hands (and funds) to run the branch and achieve great heights.
Hence I take my hat to all who had sacrificed so much to make our branch
a success.
See you at the AGM!
Cheaw Hon Ming
20 June 1999