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Activities Report
September 1999 Newsletter

From the Chairman's Desk

Hi Everybody,

First of all I would like to thank all of you who had confidence in me chairing the Perak Branch yet another year. Ng Chang Chai confirmed that my version was correct — he would only accept the committee member post. I am indeed relieved that my hearing is not defective, else I have to quit as I have to be a good listener. Other than the role spelt out in the constitution the chairperson is expected to lead the branch to achieve the society’s objectives effectively. You have elected a new secretary and a few committee members switched places to make the new committee energetic and
balanced but we need further input in influence and enthusiasm from all members to meet future challenges. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Poon Kuan Yaow and Chang Kok Kai from their contributions to the branch. All members expect the branch to blaze new trails and give them more benefits but this is often easier said than done as we do not have the benefit of a paid office force to do the nitty gritty to service members as the committee efforts are voluntary. Pareto’s Principle would be applied to identify the 20 percent the committee will focus on so that 80
percent of the branch’s aspirations can be achieved.
      Sifting through the experiences over the past few years and the comments received from members and the public I feel that the branch should concentrate on continuous quality improve-ment to increase membership and the status of the MNS as a reliable NGO in the eyes of  the powers that be. I shall commit myself wholeheartedly to set up an NERMC — a home for the branch. The need for it is irrefragable as the matters raised during the Branch AGM points to the lack of it as the root of most of our problems. The committee will endeavour to raise funds for the building and my principle task would be to keep the momentum going. Please volunteer your help when it is needed.
      Over the last few weeks I gave serious thoughts to set realistic goals for the Branch and the MNS as a whole in spite of the present economic and political difficulties. The vision of the branch carrying out more quality activities and leading in certain areas has fired an passion in me to seek and explore all avenues to achieve this goal.
      Some members have written in to complain about the destruction of forests, wetlands and coastal/marine areas brought about by unbridled development. The clearing of the land at the foot of the Kledang Hill recently spurred an outpouring of dissatisfaction from members and the public. While it shows that people do care about Nature much more has to be done to inculcate a love for Nature and the need to conserve it. Some commented on the way we do certain things. While it is appreciated I hope members would communicate their message clearly so that there would be no misconceptions. They should also be good listeners and seek clarifications before jumping to conclusions. I found out much to my disappointment that some of my ideas and words have been taken out of context by some members. Fortunately my explanations were accepted in most cases. Therefore I appeal to all members to consider themselves as members of a team and be willing to put aside their sensitivities to achieve our common goals.
      The committee cannot please everybody so the aspirations of the majority will continue to be attended to. A few in the minority may be unhappy over certain matters and leave the MNS. However, I would like to take my hat off to a minority who stood with us through the thick and thin and continue to be members though they have not participated in our activities. Once again,

Thank you for your unwavering support.

Cheaw Hon Ming
20 August 1999


Index to reports and articles

  1. Miscellaneous Announcements
  2. CHILDREN NATURE CAMP (29 - 30 MAY 1999)
  3. Kuala Kangsar Safari (3 - 4 July 1999) - Trip cancelled.
  4. In Search of the World’s Largest Flower (Sunday 12 July, 1999)
  5. Mystery Tour (Langkawi/Thailand) 5 – 11 July 1999 - Postponed
  6. Branch Annual General Meeting  (Saturday 17 July 1999)
  7. Marine Outing – Pulau Sembilan (Sunday 25 July 1999) - Postponed
  8. Camping/Trekking at Pos Dipang Waterfall (Saturday – Sunday, 7 - 8 August 1999)
  9. Members’ Night (Saturday 14 August 1999)
  10. Endau-Rompin Trip (23 – 27 May 1999) : Part One  (by Ng Kit Wan)
  11. Renewable Energy: A Good Source for the Future but Environmental Protection Also Needed.
  12. A need for both API and qualitative readings in the city
  13. Tapir should be released into the wild
  14. Strict Enforcement on Illegal Dumping
  15. Conditions for Monitoring (Letter to Director-General of DOE)
  16. It is Time to Review the Old Wildlife Act
  17. Heavier penalty for violators of the Street, Drainage and Building Act.
  18. Belum Forest Reserve as a National Park
  19. MNS Secretariat news
  20. [ Back to MNS Perak Home ]

Created on 2nd Sept 1999.