Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on the Bioprospect Project and Development of Wild Fungi, Wild Ginger and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (TUB) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
It is an effort towards sustainable development and the conservation of the biological resources of Sabah.
Yayasan Sabah Director Dato’ Sri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar signed on behalf of YSG, while SFD was represented by Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan and Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Haji Mohd Mansur for UMS.
State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who witnessed the signing, commended the collaborative effort made thus far by the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC) and SFD for supporting and channelling funds in preserving and conserving natural resources and the efforts of YSG and UMS in making the TUB project a success.
The TUB project intends to discover species of wild fungi and wild ginger in Sabah, particularly Tuhau, which has high commercial value potential to be marSome of the wild fungi, wild ginger and medicinal and aromatic plants. keted in the future as a proactive approach towards addressing global food security issues.
The project has been carried out in the YSG’s conservation areas, namely Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon, besides the Innoprise-FACE Rainforest Rehabilitation Project (INFAPRO) and Innoprise-IKEA Tropical Forest Rehabilitation Project (INIKEA) and other Permanent Forest Reserves in Sabah.
As stated in the signed MoA, the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) Federal Fund has successfully allocated RM5 million to the TUB project for five years, beginning in 2021 and ending in 2025.
“This project also aims to produce PhD and MSc graduates in related fields, and to develop a collaborative network between academia and government agencies in the research field.
“In addition, this project has produced novel product and bio-chemical prototypes and integrated technological knowledge through demonstrations, publications and workshops to local communities and entrepreneurs.
“I am confident that this TUB project will encourage progress in the field of research and development and led innovation, including in the downstream sector for the production of commercial products that will offer economic opportunities and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources in Sabah,” he said.
During the same event, Dr Mohd Arifin also launched two books namely the “Kehidupan dan Adat Suku Murut Tangala, Kg Inarad, Tongod” and “Kepercayaan, Ritual dan Adat Suku Tombonuo, Lingkabau, Sugut” that were published by YSG.
The event was followed by a seminar on the TUB project and the latest findings of the project that has been implemented, which was participated by 150 people from various departments, agencies, organisations and institutions.
The seminar was aimed at raising awareness, particularly regarding the significance of the importance of protecting Sabah’s forest resources.
