Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Borneo needs to protect rich heritage, natural resources


Kota Kinabalu: In welcoming development and change in Borneo, governments and its people must work together to strike a balance between economic growth and the need to protect its rich heritage and abundance of natural resources.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Borneo, especially Sabah, had become a magnet for large populations of transient and displaced immigrants from neighbouring countries.

In turn, it has created many issues for local communities, as well as governments, he said, adding that in many cities, the move towards industrialisation and 'rural-urban drift' of interior populations had created sprawling urban areas that have adversely affected local societies and the natural environment.

"While we continue to welcome development and change in Borneo, we must work together to strike a balance between economic growth and the need to protect our rich heritage and abundance of natural resources," he said.

He was speaking at the launching of the Borneo Research Council (BRC) Ninth Biennial International Conference at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) here, Tuesday.

His text of speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister cum Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan.

According to him, the Conference theme, "Borneo on the Move: Continuity and Change" reflected that in recent times, populations in Borneo had experienced many changes in tandem with regional and global developments.

Continue reading at: Borneo needs to protect rich heritage, natural resources

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