Hi Everybody,
As the second millennium draws to a close
and the MNS plans for the next millennium it is timely to look back at
our achievements and to take an audit of our strengths and weaknesses in
order that we will continue to achieve greater heights. Although our membership
has shown a slight decline over the last two years, indicating our failure
to attract more people to be involved in the fight to preserve our natural
heritage, it has heightened our resolve to find ways and means to strengthen
our beloved society.
Thus it is most unfortunate that we will lose
the services of Dr. Low Hin Yang, MNS Chief Executive Officer, who has
tendered his resignation effective end of November 1999. His short stint
with the MNS has been most invaluable in instilling a new sense of urgency
and a greater level of efficiency. He applied his intelligence and experience
in the corporate sector to improve the secretariat and steer it through
these trying times. Losing him at this juncture will make the search for
a replacement a daunting task and a drain on our scarce financial resources.
However, it is not possible to retain a person once he makes up his mind
to leave. I therefore wish him all the best in all his future undertakings
and hope that his stated commitment to the cause of Nature Conservation
remains unwavering and shall continue to contribute as best as he can as
a volunteer.
The 22nd BirdLife International World
Conference and Global Partnership Meeting has just concluded on a successful
note. At the last AGM in Kuala Lipis I was proposed and appointed as a
representative of Council in BCC (Thank you to all council members who
have so much confidence in me to represent Council). As it was difficult
for me to get leave for this most important event which is held only once
in four years in one of the 80 or more participating countries I could
only attend the conference which was held on 14-16 October. Before the
conference there was an exhibition by the participating countries which
was opened by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan. Arriving at the Awana Resort’s
Eco Centre at about 6.30 p.m. Kuan Yaow and I went straight to the exhibition
area which was like a mini United Nations as it exudes such an international
flavour. The Arab countries and Israel were grouped together while China,
Hong Kong and Taiwan shared great enthusiasm in bird conservation without
the usual political overtones. Cocktails (Tiger beer, red and white wines,
etc) were served to spice up the atmosphere. T-shirts, books, cards and
all sorts of souvenirs were on sale but many posters, cards and literature
were given free. I made many foreign friends who extended their warm invitation
to us to bird in their country.
Since then I have been receiving email
from the delegates praising MNS for having done a wonderful job of organising
the conference and giving the delegates a very pleasant stay and an enjoyable
time. The resounding success of this conference is testimony to the organisational
ability and the trust that has been placed with the MNS. All these would
not have been possible without the availability of funds from the sponsors
(especially the JFGE) and sacrifice by the MNS volunteers and Secretariat
staff. This has brought not only pride to the MNS but also to the nation
as it will surely reap benefits in the future for the country as the birding
fraternity world-wide is growing at a steady pace, giving an added boost
to the government’s efforts in attracting tourists to this country. It
also means that we must conserve our fast dwindling forests and ensure
that this promise will continue to hold true for as long as we cherish
that dream to get the tourist dollar.
Cheaw Hon Ming
26 October 1999