KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- According to the statistics issued by UNHCR Malaysia, as of last Sept 30, there were 63,600 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the UN Refugee Agency.
From this figure, 58,000 were from Myanmar comprising some 27,700 Chins, 15,900 Rohingyas, 3,800 Myanmar Muslims, 2,300 Kachins and the remaining being other ethnic minorities from that country.
There were also some 5,600 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries, including 2,700 Sri Lankans, 760 Somalis, 530 Iraqis and 530 Afghans.
Based on the available statistics, 51 per cent of the refugees and asylum-seekers were men while women made up 49 per cent. There were 14,600 children below the age of 18.
UNHCR Malaysia said there were also a large number of persons of concern to the agency who remained unregistered and the figure was said to be around 30,000.
GENERATION OF BEGGARS
For Zin Oo Ko, who is from Myanmar and whose family migrated to Malaysia in the late 80s, only education would take the refugee children off the streets and prevent them from becoming a generation of beggars apart from being dragged into being part of the 'bad hats'.
Zin said there were two groups of Rohingya refugee children who took to the streets as beggars in Malaysia.
On one side, the children were in the clutches of a triad from their own ethnic group and local gangs who paid some money to the parents of the children and the children themselves before sending them out to the streets to beg.
"The other group are those who have no choice but to beg and begging is the easiest form of earning a livelihood," he said.
Zin then related the story of Abdul Rahim who is Anwar Begum's (the Rohingya refugee child mentioned in the first part of this article) older brother who had to 'beg' to support his family.
"He was actually selling religious books but this is also considered like begging because there is no fixed amount for the books. It is up to the people to give him whatever amount they thought suitable.
"The family is ashamed to allow Abdul Rahim to do this but they have no choice and the boy is also too young to get a job. The father used to go round collecting metal scraps and recycled items but later he became too ill and became bedridden," said zin.
The young boy then started to mix with the bad elements and was later picked up by the authorities. After some considerations by the relevant authorities, they decided to send him to a reform school in Kelantan.
TEACH THEM HOW TO FISH
Zin said poverty, particularly for the refugees, served not only as the breeding ground for crimes but also for the refugees to rapidly 'multiply' in their number as were ignorant of family planning.
"To me, the only way to get these people out from the clutches of poverty is through education. We can give them rice, a packet or two or give them money but money is never enough.
"We need to empower them, especially the children, teach them how to fish, not just giving them the fish so they can stand on their own two feet. What if one day I am not here anymore and also the people who are helping them?
"What would happen to them then? Would they go back to their old lives? In a way I am a bit worried," Zin said in an interview with Bernama here recently.
Zin who can also speak fluent Bahasa Malaysia said he had taken onto himself to teach some of the Rohingya children including Anwar Begum and her siblings. The students are between five and 23 years old.
VERY REWARDING
According to the 30-year-old Zin, he started teaching the children around end of 2005 until recently where he decided to temporarily stop pending getting a proper place to conduct the classes.
"I was going from house to house, teaching Bahasa Malaysia, English, some Mathematics and religious studies. The children were great, very responsive and excited to learn.
It is satisfying to see the glow on their faces as they respond to my teaching. They also love drawings.
"Anwar Begum for example. She can now read. Three years ago she knows nothing. She can also listen to the Malay news and translate them for her parents," said Zin who has a Malaysian Permanent Resident (PR) status.
Zin himself has no experience in teaching but after asking around from his friends who are teachers and lecturers, he begins to develop his own syllabus to teach the children.
"I feel privileged that I can assist them. We are not in their situation, we are the lucky ones and if we compare our lives to theirs and also our every day problems, it is nothing compared to what they are going through.
"They are practically living with no hope, no dreams, no tomorrow, nothing. I am helping them straight from my heart. My goal is, let's say out of 100 students, if I can get one into university, this is already very rewarding. This will take some time but I am willing to do this forever.
"At the same time for those who cannot study, I want to give them vocational training like that in wiring, house renovations, auto mechanics and handicrafts. This is my long-term plan," said Zin.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Malaysia to double tiger population by next year: government
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's deputy premier has announced plans to double the population of the endangered Malayan Tiger through a new initiative to manage and conserve the big cat in its natural environment.
Muhyiddin Yassin said the government's new biodiversity council had adopted the National Tiger Action Plan in a bid to boost the dwindling population.
The plan targets an increase in the Malayan tiger population "to 1,000 by 2020 in their natural habitat," he told state media Bernama late Wednesday.
"We will take concrete efforts to protect the tigers, including in situ conservation efforts. The aim is to also widen the area where wildlife is protected."
Wildlife activists have welcomed the government's endorsement of the plan, urging greater enforcement of laws to protect the animals.
"High level support behind the action plan is crucial not just to save tigers but their habitat and prey species," Chris Shepherd, acting head of wildlife trade monitoring group TRAFFIC Southeast Asia told AFP.
A "decline in their prey base" is one of the key threats to the tigers, he added.
The government said in July it has also sought the help of the military to battle poaching, which wildlife activists say has reduced the number of Malayan Tigers in the wild from around 3000 in the 1950s to fewer than 500 tigers now.
"Enforcement in Malaysia and across tiger-range states needs to be stepped up as tiger (numbers) have declined so sharply in the last few years," Shepherd added.
"We are not going to be able to save tigers unless enforcement and deterrents are in place."
Tiger parts are used in traditional medicine across the region. Last month, wildlife authorities rescued a Malayan tiger from a snare set up by poachers near the country's jungle border with Thailand. The animal died from its wounds shortly after.
Work closer on wildlife
Farrah Naz Karim, The Star 5 Nov 09;
PUTRAJAYA: The deputy prime minister has called to heighten joint enforcement initiatives among state governments, the Wildlife Department and Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department to curb encroachment and poaching.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was one of the many steps needed to ensure the sound management and conservation of biodiversity.
Effective measures would enable Malaysia to enjoy its rich biodiversity as a new source of wealth, he said in a statement yesterday after chairing the sixth National Biodiversity-Biotechnology Council, now renamed the National Biodiversity Council.
He said the council had agreed to expand the National Biodiversity Integrated Spatial Data Base Development Project to the whole peninsula (Phase 1) as well as pilot areas in Sabah and Sarawak (Phase 2).
The project, which uses remote sensing technology and geographical information system, would be a more effective way of creating a balance between biodiversity conversation and development.
"The council is also taking note of efforts by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry in keeping an inventory of the country's biodiversity wealth. It is crucial for us to know our biodiversity and the need for conservation to use it as a driver of new wealth," he said.
The council also adopted the paper Common Vision on Biodiversity aimed at driving biodiversity into the mainstream of the country's development.
This, he said, would require all sectors and activities related to biodiversity to take into account sustainable management, conservation and utilisation of biodiversity.
A National Biodiversity Centre would be set up in line with the National Diversity Biology policy, which is aimed at strengthening the institutional framework for the management of biology diversity.
The issue of Malayan tigers, which are fast dwindling in numbers, was also touched on at the meeting attended by several ministers, menteris besar and chief ministers.
The council adopted the National Tigers Action Plan (NTAP), an integrated approach for the management and conservation of the Malayan tiger in its natural habitats.
The plan, Muhyiddin said, was to save the rare species from extinction as they now numbered about 500, from 3,000 in the 1950s.
The NTAP, among others, would focus on the conservation of tigers in-situ at conservation sites.
"Through this action plan, the management of the tigers' habitat could be strengthened by increasing the wildlife corridor network and protection areas."
With the plan in place, Muhyiddin said the council expected the number of Malayan tigers to increase to 1,000 by next year.
Muhyiddin announces plan to double tiger population
The Star 5 Nov 09;
PUTRAJAYA: A comprehensive plan to double the country’s tiger population is in the works.
The plan, to be adopted by the National Biodiversity-Biotechnology Council, aims to manage and protect the animal from extinction and increase its numbers in the wild to 1,000 by the year 2020.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the country could not afford to lose the tiger as it was a subspecies unique to Malaysia.
According to official records, Malaysia’s tiger population was estimated at 3,000 in the 1950s but current figures showed a drastic drop to between 450 and 500 only.
“We will take concrete efforts to protect the tigers, including in situ conservation efforts. The aim is also to widen the area where wildlife is protected,” he said after chairing the council’s sixth meeting yesterday.
Those present included Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Maximus Ongkili, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin, and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.
Malaysian Tiger Action Plan adopted
TRAFFIC 5 Nov 09;
The Government in Malaysia has endorsed a Tiger Action Plan that aims to see 1,000 wild animals in the country by 2020 Click photo to enlarge © Roger Hooper / WWF-Canon Kuala Lumpur, 5 November 2009—Malaysia’s roadmap to saving its wild tigers has received its most solid endorsement yet—a firm and clear commitment from Government to protect the species and the places it calls home.
The National Tiger Action Plan was officially adopted by Malaysia’s National Biodiversity-Biotechnologys Council yesterday. It is a detailed document that government and environmental NGOs jointly shaped over the past two years.
Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs the Council said the government would take concrete efforts to protect the Tigers, double their number by 2020 and widen the area where wildlife is protected.
The high-powered Council counts Ministers of Environment, Health, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation as well as International Trade and Ministry among its members.
Consultations on the draft plan between the Wildlife and National Parks Department and a coalition of NGOs that formed the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) began in 2006. The coalition comprises TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, WWF Malaysia, Malaysian Nature Society and the Wildlife Conservation Society-Malaysia Programme.
The plan, which was completed and released late 2007, spells out the direction and specific actions that government agencies and NGOs must carry out between 2008 and 2015 to secure a future for wild Malayan Tiger populations.
These actions include securing ample Tiger habitats, ensuring connectivity of habitats, protecting Tiger prey-species and enforcement against poachers and has even been built into spatial and infrastructure development planning.
Its overall indicator of success will be 1,000 wild Tigers surviving on wild prey in the year 2020, in a secured, well-connected swathe of forest that runs through the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, referred to as the Central Forest Spine.
Malaysia currently has an estimated 500 wild Tigers, down from about 3,000 in the 1950s.
“This is a monumental step forward for conservation of Malaysia’s Tigers and all wildlife,” said Chris R. Shepherd, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Acting-Director.
“There’s much work ahead to realize the plan and many problems to address, but this is exactly the kind of commitment we hope all Tiger range States will show.
Among those problems, which the Council also addressed, were threats posed by encroachment into protected areas and poaching. The Deputy Prime Minister called on the all State Governments, the Wildlife and National Parks Department and the Forestry Department to work towards curbing the problem.
The adoption of the plan is a timely boost for conservation efforts and comes at a critical time for Tiger and Tiger prey survival. Poaching levels are high, as indicated by numerous recent illegal activities in Malaysia’s forests.
In July, the government took another crucial step towards protecting Tiger prey-species by placing a two-year ban on the hunting of Sambar and Barking Deer.
Most recently, on October 26, Wildlife and National Parks Department arrested two men for poaching two Barking Deer, just off a highway that cuts through a biodiversity rich forest in the north of Peninsular Malaysia.
The men, both from the town of Gerik in Perak, will face charges under Section 68 of the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 for possession of a protected species and could face up to RM3,000 in fines or a maximum three years in prison, or both, upon conviction.
Wildlife officers in Gerik town alone have handled 16 cases involving poachers so far this year, Perak State Wildlife Department Director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said.
In May, authorities caught two men with the skull and bones of a Tiger and arrested Cambodian poachers in Malaysia’s forests with wildlife parts. Just last month, a Tiger was found in a snare by authorities and WWF’s wildlife protection unit, unfortunately it died of its injures.
Muhyiddin Yassin said the government's new biodiversity council had adopted the National Tiger Action Plan in a bid to boost the dwindling population.
The plan targets an increase in the Malayan tiger population "to 1,000 by 2020 in their natural habitat," he told state media Bernama late Wednesday.
"We will take concrete efforts to protect the tigers, including in situ conservation efforts. The aim is to also widen the area where wildlife is protected."
Wildlife activists have welcomed the government's endorsement of the plan, urging greater enforcement of laws to protect the animals.
"High level support behind the action plan is crucial not just to save tigers but their habitat and prey species," Chris Shepherd, acting head of wildlife trade monitoring group TRAFFIC Southeast Asia told AFP.
A "decline in their prey base" is one of the key threats to the tigers, he added.
The government said in July it has also sought the help of the military to battle poaching, which wildlife activists say has reduced the number of Malayan Tigers in the wild from around 3000 in the 1950s to fewer than 500 tigers now.
"Enforcement in Malaysia and across tiger-range states needs to be stepped up as tiger (numbers) have declined so sharply in the last few years," Shepherd added.
"We are not going to be able to save tigers unless enforcement and deterrents are in place."
Tiger parts are used in traditional medicine across the region. Last month, wildlife authorities rescued a Malayan tiger from a snare set up by poachers near the country's jungle border with Thailand. The animal died from its wounds shortly after.
Work closer on wildlife
Farrah Naz Karim, The Star 5 Nov 09;
PUTRAJAYA: The deputy prime minister has called to heighten joint enforcement initiatives among state governments, the Wildlife Department and Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department to curb encroachment and poaching.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was one of the many steps needed to ensure the sound management and conservation of biodiversity.
Effective measures would enable Malaysia to enjoy its rich biodiversity as a new source of wealth, he said in a statement yesterday after chairing the sixth National Biodiversity-Biotechnology Council, now renamed the National Biodiversity Council.
He said the council had agreed to expand the National Biodiversity Integrated Spatial Data Base Development Project to the whole peninsula (Phase 1) as well as pilot areas in Sabah and Sarawak (Phase 2).
The project, which uses remote sensing technology and geographical information system, would be a more effective way of creating a balance between biodiversity conversation and development.
"The council is also taking note of efforts by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry in keeping an inventory of the country's biodiversity wealth. It is crucial for us to know our biodiversity and the need for conservation to use it as a driver of new wealth," he said.
The council also adopted the paper Common Vision on Biodiversity aimed at driving biodiversity into the mainstream of the country's development.
This, he said, would require all sectors and activities related to biodiversity to take into account sustainable management, conservation and utilisation of biodiversity.
A National Biodiversity Centre would be set up in line with the National Diversity Biology policy, which is aimed at strengthening the institutional framework for the management of biology diversity.
The issue of Malayan tigers, which are fast dwindling in numbers, was also touched on at the meeting attended by several ministers, menteris besar and chief ministers.
The council adopted the National Tigers Action Plan (NTAP), an integrated approach for the management and conservation of the Malayan tiger in its natural habitats.
The plan, Muhyiddin said, was to save the rare species from extinction as they now numbered about 500, from 3,000 in the 1950s.
The NTAP, among others, would focus on the conservation of tigers in-situ at conservation sites.
"Through this action plan, the management of the tigers' habitat could be strengthened by increasing the wildlife corridor network and protection areas."
With the plan in place, Muhyiddin said the council expected the number of Malayan tigers to increase to 1,000 by next year.
Muhyiddin announces plan to double tiger population
The Star 5 Nov 09;
PUTRAJAYA: A comprehensive plan to double the country’s tiger population is in the works.
The plan, to be adopted by the National Biodiversity-Biotechnology Council, aims to manage and protect the animal from extinction and increase its numbers in the wild to 1,000 by the year 2020.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the country could not afford to lose the tiger as it was a subspecies unique to Malaysia.
According to official records, Malaysia’s tiger population was estimated at 3,000 in the 1950s but current figures showed a drastic drop to between 450 and 500 only.
“We will take concrete efforts to protect the tigers, including in situ conservation efforts. The aim is also to widen the area where wildlife is protected,” he said after chairing the council’s sixth meeting yesterday.
Those present included Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Maximus Ongkili, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin, and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.
Malaysian Tiger Action Plan adopted
TRAFFIC 5 Nov 09;
The Government in Malaysia has endorsed a Tiger Action Plan that aims to see 1,000 wild animals in the country by 2020 Click photo to enlarge © Roger Hooper / WWF-Canon Kuala Lumpur, 5 November 2009—Malaysia’s roadmap to saving its wild tigers has received its most solid endorsement yet—a firm and clear commitment from Government to protect the species and the places it calls home.
The National Tiger Action Plan was officially adopted by Malaysia’s National Biodiversity-Biotechnologys Council yesterday. It is a detailed document that government and environmental NGOs jointly shaped over the past two years.
Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs the Council said the government would take concrete efforts to protect the Tigers, double their number by 2020 and widen the area where wildlife is protected.
The high-powered Council counts Ministers of Environment, Health, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation as well as International Trade and Ministry among its members.
Consultations on the draft plan between the Wildlife and National Parks Department and a coalition of NGOs that formed the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) began in 2006. The coalition comprises TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, WWF Malaysia, Malaysian Nature Society and the Wildlife Conservation Society-Malaysia Programme.
The plan, which was completed and released late 2007, spells out the direction and specific actions that government agencies and NGOs must carry out between 2008 and 2015 to secure a future for wild Malayan Tiger populations.
These actions include securing ample Tiger habitats, ensuring connectivity of habitats, protecting Tiger prey-species and enforcement against poachers and has even been built into spatial and infrastructure development planning.
Its overall indicator of success will be 1,000 wild Tigers surviving on wild prey in the year 2020, in a secured, well-connected swathe of forest that runs through the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, referred to as the Central Forest Spine.
Malaysia currently has an estimated 500 wild Tigers, down from about 3,000 in the 1950s.
“This is a monumental step forward for conservation of Malaysia’s Tigers and all wildlife,” said Chris R. Shepherd, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Acting-Director.
“There’s much work ahead to realize the plan and many problems to address, but this is exactly the kind of commitment we hope all Tiger range States will show.
Among those problems, which the Council also addressed, were threats posed by encroachment into protected areas and poaching. The Deputy Prime Minister called on the all State Governments, the Wildlife and National Parks Department and the Forestry Department to work towards curbing the problem.
The adoption of the plan is a timely boost for conservation efforts and comes at a critical time for Tiger and Tiger prey survival. Poaching levels are high, as indicated by numerous recent illegal activities in Malaysia’s forests.
In July, the government took another crucial step towards protecting Tiger prey-species by placing a two-year ban on the hunting of Sambar and Barking Deer.
Most recently, on October 26, Wildlife and National Parks Department arrested two men for poaching two Barking Deer, just off a highway that cuts through a biodiversity rich forest in the north of Peninsular Malaysia.
The men, both from the town of Gerik in Perak, will face charges under Section 68 of the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 for possession of a protected species and could face up to RM3,000 in fines or a maximum three years in prison, or both, upon conviction.
Wildlife officers in Gerik town alone have handled 16 cases involving poachers so far this year, Perak State Wildlife Department Director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said.
In May, authorities caught two men with the skull and bones of a Tiger and arrested Cambodian poachers in Malaysia’s forests with wildlife parts. Just last month, a Tiger was found in a snare by authorities and WWF’s wildlife protection unit, unfortunately it died of its injures.
Friday, November 6, 2009
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA UNVEILS PLANT GENOME OF BILLION-DOLLAR GLOBAL INDUSTRY
Press Release - Penang, 28 October - The Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia had successfully decoded the rubber tree genome. This accomplishment could potentially place Malaysia as the biggest producer of rubber.
Rubber-Genome
Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (second from right) and Prof. Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli (leftmost), Dr. Wan Rahaman and CCB@USM team holding the rubber tree after the press conference today.
Copyright : Universiti Sains Malaysia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA UNVEILS PLANT GENOME OF BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY
PENANG 28 October - The Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia had successfully decoded the rubber tree genome. This accomplishment could potentially place Malaysia as the biggest producer of rubber.
The Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced at CCB@USM yesterday that this major achievement could lead to many end products and contribute to the billion dollar rubber industry.
Khaled stated that CCB@USM had successfully decoded the draft of the 2 billion base genome of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis through its chemical biology discovery platform.
“This project is a result of an international collaboration led by CCB@USM that forms an excellent foundation for major contributions to society at the bottom billion,” he said during the press conference.
Also present were the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, the Chief Executive Officer of CCB@USM, Prof Maqsudul Alam, and the Chief Operating Officer of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Dr. Wan Abdul Rahman Wan Yaacob.
Khaled added that the most significant benefit of this finding was that it will help the nation in developing a high quality breed of rubber tree with resistance to diseases such as South American Leaf Blight and white root.
He also explained that Malaysia could potentially be the hub for rubber tree biotechnological research in Asia and at the same time train competent younger generation of scientists skilled in various disciplines such as genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.
The Deputy Director (Research) of CCB@USM, Prof Nazalan Najimudin, expressed that this effort will empower the nation (Malaysia) to remain as the leader in rubber research and be at the forefront in the global rubber industry. This will enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness in rubber production. Malaysia is currently the world's fourth biggest producer, after Indonesia, Thailand, and India.
“The genome information will enable researchers to understand genetic characteristics of different breeds of rubber trees well in advance compared to conventional breeding techniques that are currently being used. As an example, for the development of the rubber tree for the timber or wood industry, determination of the girth of a rubber tree may take 10 to 12 years. With this genome information, we may be able to detect varieties that are able to produce large girths as early as a year or less.”
“This is one obvious benefit that we could obtain from this rubber tree genome. There are many other biotechnological studies which deal with pharmaceuticals, health, and others that can be performed.”
Nazalan also explained that institutions of higher learning contribute to innovations that could give high benefits to the national economy.
“This study relies upon the belief that for us to advance and obtain good returns involving the rubber tree, we must have the fundamental knowledge and the basic information on the rubber tree itself.”
“Filing of intellectual property claims requires one to possess information or knowledge which is not yet released to the public domain. Therefore, this genome sequencing project allows us to discover key information and protect them before others can exploit and make claims. “
He reiterated that furniture from rubberwood has proven popular and is an important export for Malaysia. The trait that can be developed and improved is in the properties of rubberwood and the genome information will move this area of plant breeding very fast.
For further enquiry, please contact:
PROFESSOR NAZALAN NAJIMUDIN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (RESEARCH)
CENTRE FOR CHEMICAL BIOLOGY (CCB@USM)
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
11800 PENANG
MALAYSIA
Email: nazalan@usm.my
Phone: +60 12 598 5600
ABOUT CENTRE FOR CHEMICAL BIOLOGY, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
CCB@USM, located in the Science and Arts Innovation Space at Universiti Sains Malaysia (sains@usm), is a Chemical Biology Research Centre focused on understanding biological systems and inspiring genome-based discoveries that provide economic and social benefits to those at the bottom of the global pyramid. CCB@USM has strategically positioned itself as the conduit for transforming fundamental academic research into applied research/development initiatives of significant interest and benefit to private enterprise. The formation of CCB@USM was endorsed by the USM Senate on 1 July 2008 and officially approved by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) on 3 February 2009.
CCB@USM Mission
To develop a leading platform for fundamental research in chemical biology.
To generate a creative, conducive, innovative, and flexible transdisciplinary international research culture.
To develop international translational young generation of scientists with emphasis in local talent (postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers).
To obtain and transfer technology through smart partnership.
CCB@USM Research
Our Motto: Driving Inspirations into Reality through first-rate fundamental research that transforms higher education for a sustainable tomorrow.
Our focus is on 3 major research themes:
• Molecular bioengineering and synthetic biology
• Natural product-based drug discovery
• Structural and computational biology
CCB@USM’s Young Generation of Scientists
• 4 Undergraduate students
• 24 MSc students
• 2 PhD students
• 3 Post-doctoral researchers
CCB@USM’s International Collaborations
• United States
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Vietnam
• Japan
• India
• Czech Republic
• Spain
• France
Rubber-Genome
Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (second from right) and Prof. Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli (leftmost), Dr. Wan Rahaman and CCB@USM team holding the rubber tree after the press conference today.
Copyright : Universiti Sains Malaysia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA UNVEILS PLANT GENOME OF BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY
PENANG 28 October - The Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia had successfully decoded the rubber tree genome. This accomplishment could potentially place Malaysia as the biggest producer of rubber.
The Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced at CCB@USM yesterday that this major achievement could lead to many end products and contribute to the billion dollar rubber industry.
Khaled stated that CCB@USM had successfully decoded the draft of the 2 billion base genome of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis through its chemical biology discovery platform.
“This project is a result of an international collaboration led by CCB@USM that forms an excellent foundation for major contributions to society at the bottom billion,” he said during the press conference.
Also present were the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, the Chief Executive Officer of CCB@USM, Prof Maqsudul Alam, and the Chief Operating Officer of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Dr. Wan Abdul Rahman Wan Yaacob.
Khaled added that the most significant benefit of this finding was that it will help the nation in developing a high quality breed of rubber tree with resistance to diseases such as South American Leaf Blight and white root.
He also explained that Malaysia could potentially be the hub for rubber tree biotechnological research in Asia and at the same time train competent younger generation of scientists skilled in various disciplines such as genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.
The Deputy Director (Research) of CCB@USM, Prof Nazalan Najimudin, expressed that this effort will empower the nation (Malaysia) to remain as the leader in rubber research and be at the forefront in the global rubber industry. This will enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness in rubber production. Malaysia is currently the world's fourth biggest producer, after Indonesia, Thailand, and India.
“The genome information will enable researchers to understand genetic characteristics of different breeds of rubber trees well in advance compared to conventional breeding techniques that are currently being used. As an example, for the development of the rubber tree for the timber or wood industry, determination of the girth of a rubber tree may take 10 to 12 years. With this genome information, we may be able to detect varieties that are able to produce large girths as early as a year or less.”
“This is one obvious benefit that we could obtain from this rubber tree genome. There are many other biotechnological studies which deal with pharmaceuticals, health, and others that can be performed.”
Nazalan also explained that institutions of higher learning contribute to innovations that could give high benefits to the national economy.
“This study relies upon the belief that for us to advance and obtain good returns involving the rubber tree, we must have the fundamental knowledge and the basic information on the rubber tree itself.”
“Filing of intellectual property claims requires one to possess information or knowledge which is not yet released to the public domain. Therefore, this genome sequencing project allows us to discover key information and protect them before others can exploit and make claims. “
He reiterated that furniture from rubberwood has proven popular and is an important export for Malaysia. The trait that can be developed and improved is in the properties of rubberwood and the genome information will move this area of plant breeding very fast.
For further enquiry, please contact:
PROFESSOR NAZALAN NAJIMUDIN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (RESEARCH)
CENTRE FOR CHEMICAL BIOLOGY (CCB@USM)
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
11800 PENANG
MALAYSIA
Email: nazalan@usm.my
Phone: +60 12 598 5600
ABOUT CENTRE FOR CHEMICAL BIOLOGY, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
CCB@USM, located in the Science and Arts Innovation Space at Universiti Sains Malaysia (sains@usm), is a Chemical Biology Research Centre focused on understanding biological systems and inspiring genome-based discoveries that provide economic and social benefits to those at the bottom of the global pyramid. CCB@USM has strategically positioned itself as the conduit for transforming fundamental academic research into applied research/development initiatives of significant interest and benefit to private enterprise. The formation of CCB@USM was endorsed by the USM Senate on 1 July 2008 and officially approved by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) on 3 February 2009.
CCB@USM Mission
To develop a leading platform for fundamental research in chemical biology.
To generate a creative, conducive, innovative, and flexible transdisciplinary international research culture.
To develop international translational young generation of scientists with emphasis in local talent (postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers).
To obtain and transfer technology through smart partnership.
CCB@USM Research
Our Motto: Driving Inspirations into Reality through first-rate fundamental research that transforms higher education for a sustainable tomorrow.
Our focus is on 3 major research themes:
• Molecular bioengineering and synthetic biology
• Natural product-based drug discovery
• Structural and computational biology
CCB@USM’s Young Generation of Scientists
• 4 Undergraduate students
• 24 MSc students
• 2 PhD students
• 3 Post-doctoral researchers
CCB@USM’s International Collaborations
• United States
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Vietnam
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Wednesday, November 4, 2009
New Merit Calculation For IPTA Admission Next Year
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Starting next year, a new system will be used to calculate the merit points for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2009 school-leavers and the exam's equivalent, for admission into public institutions of higher learning (IPTAs).
Higher Education Department director-general Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the change was in line with the Education Ministry's new A+ pass level for SPM 2009 leavers next year.
"The system is introduced to accept the best into the IPTAs and to distinguish the difference between A+, A and A-," he said at a news conference here Friday.
Using this new system, a student scoring A will be categorised as A+, A or A- with merit points of 18, 16 and 14 respectively, compared to the previous 1A and 2A.
He said grade 3B would be changed to B+ and have a value of 12 merit points, 4B changed to B (10), 5C to C+ (eight), 6C to C (six), 7D to D (four), 8E to E (two), and 9G to G with no merit points.
However, Radin Umar said the new method would also take into account the special entrance requirement to ensure that earlier students who obtained grade 6C (credit) were not moved to a lower grade.
"The processing, calculation of merit points, university entrance requirement, programme entrance requirement and candidate selection will be carried out in two ways, which are the current method for SPM 2008 leavers and those before that, and the latest method for SPM 2009 leavers.
"This way, chances of earlier SPM leavers to further their studies at the IPTAs are not affected."
He said the implementation of the new merit calculation method would be made known to students, teachers and parents during the Higher Education Carnival 2010 with the cooperation of the Education Ministry, from January to March next year in 10 selected zones nationwide.
"The ministry will also hold briefing roadshows for guidance counsellors and update information in the brochures and Education Ministry's website," he said.
Higher Education Department director-general Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the change was in line with the Education Ministry's new A+ pass level for SPM 2009 leavers next year.
"The system is introduced to accept the best into the IPTAs and to distinguish the difference between A+, A and A-," he said at a news conference here Friday.
Using this new system, a student scoring A will be categorised as A+, A or A- with merit points of 18, 16 and 14 respectively, compared to the previous 1A and 2A.
He said grade 3B would be changed to B+ and have a value of 12 merit points, 4B changed to B (10), 5C to C+ (eight), 6C to C (six), 7D to D (four), 8E to E (two), and 9G to G with no merit points.
However, Radin Umar said the new method would also take into account the special entrance requirement to ensure that earlier students who obtained grade 6C (credit) were not moved to a lower grade.
"The processing, calculation of merit points, university entrance requirement, programme entrance requirement and candidate selection will be carried out in two ways, which are the current method for SPM 2008 leavers and those before that, and the latest method for SPM 2009 leavers.
"This way, chances of earlier SPM leavers to further their studies at the IPTAs are not affected."
He said the implementation of the new merit calculation method would be made known to students, teachers and parents during the Higher Education Carnival 2010 with the cooperation of the Education Ministry, from January to March next year in 10 selected zones nationwide.
"The ministry will also hold briefing roadshows for guidance counsellors and update information in the brochures and Education Ministry's website," he said.
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