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Monday May 22, 2006

Protect natural heritage at all cost

I HAVE been diving at the world's famous Pulau Sipadan and its neighbouring islands annually for the past couple of years.

I am proud of my country's rich marine treasures. I had the pleasure of researching the coral reefs of Malaysia in my post-graduate studies.

Many Malaysians are not aware of the richness of our marine bio-diversity. We are third on the list of countries with the highest number of coral species.

Sipadan has been dubbed as one of the top 10 best dive sites in the world. Its immense beauty has lured divers from all over the world.

International travellers are paying a hefty sum to appreciate what Malaysians sometimes take for granted.

Therefore, the recent destruction of coral reef by a barge is truly appalling.

I hope the relevant authorities could explain to the concerned and angered public the presence of an enormous steel barge carrying thousands of tonnes of gravel, sand, steel tubes, iron mesh in the waters of Sipadan.

Our country has been trying to step up its efforts on environment conservation.

Let us prove that we, as Malaysians, are proud of our natural heritage and pledge to protect it the best we can.

Although the damage has been done to the Sipadan reef, let it be a lesson to us – a lesson that we must diligently monitor and care for our nature.

LILLIAN DANIELLE KHOO,

Petaling Jaya.

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