CONCEPT PAPER FOR DEVELOPING A CENTRE

OF EXCELLENCE IN POIC OPERATION AREA,

LAHAD DATU

KOTA KINABALU WETLAND RAMSAR SITE

Off Jalan Bukit Bendera Upper, Likas
88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel No : +6088-246955
Fax No : +6088-247 955
Email: cso_swcs@sabahwetlands.org
Website: www.sabahwetlands.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. OBJECTIVES 2
2. BACKGROUND 3
3. JUSTIFICATION 4
4. DISPLAY OF INFORMATION 6
5. STORY BOARD 9
6. APPENDIX 11

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1. OBJECTIVES

The overall intention of this concept paper is to propose a collaborative partnership to set up
Centre of Excellence for wetlands in POIC Lahad Datu in general.

The objectives are:

a. To set up a Centre of Excellence for wetlands conservation in POIC Lahad Datu with
the intention to provide a venue to disseminate information to the general public; and
b. To engage POIC as a collaborative partner in wetlands conservation in Lahad Datu.

2. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this concept paper is to express the intention of Sabah Wetlands Conservation
Society (SWCS) to collaborate with POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd for developing a Centre of
Excellence (CoE) in POIC Operation Area, Lahad Datu. This initiative was mooted by SWCS
in 2018 and has been revisited again in 2021 in order to pursue this collaboration.

2.1 Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS)

SWCS is a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which advocates

environmental conservation and awareness of wetlands ecosystems found in Sabah and
has played a significant role in addressing the escalating environmental problems of
wetlands degradation in the state through environmental education and awareness
program. By considering the experience and exposure of SWCS as the managing party
for the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site (KKWRS) as a model wetland centre for
advocacies, tourism, education and research and also the only urban Ramsar Site in
Malaysia, it will be a suitable collaboration partnership with POIC Sdn Bhd to develop
a model Centre of Excellence in POIC Operation Area, Lahad Datu.

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 2.2 Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site

KKWRS is a model wetland centre located in Kota Kinabalu, which has welcomed
more than 180,000 visitors since its opening on March 1st, 2000 through its
environmental education programme and wetlands-related projects. Having a
mangrove forest as a platform for CEPA (Communication, Education & Public
Awareness) programme is a crucial aspect in shaping KKWRS as a model wetland
centre, alongside with the decent facilities such as the administration building,
informative exhibition hall, amphitheater, observatory tower, bird hide, informative
signage, car park and public toilets.

Pursuant to this, having a Centre of Excellence for wetlands within POIC Operation Area
would gradually improve the corporate profile of POIC and expand the business models of the
company whilst striving towards protection and conservation of the surrounding ecosystem
particularly the wetland ecosystem.

3. BACKGROUND

The town of Lahad Datu is in the eastern region part of Sabah. It is the fourth-largest town in
Sabah after Tawau with a total population of approximately over 200,000 in 2020. The
administrative centre of Lahad Datu Division is bordered by the Sulu Sea to the east and the
Celebes Sea to the south. Lahad Datu is linked to other towns and districts via the Federal
Route 13, a part of Pan Borneo Highway network in East Coast of Sabah. The district also
served by various transportation services such as taxis, buses and minibuses, flights from Kota
Kinabalu and connecting international flights. Currently, there are about 53 educational
institutions in Lahad Datu accommodating 29,715 students from primary, secondary and
tertiary levels.

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POIC Operation Area located 2 km away from Lahad Datu town, existing ports and refineries
along Darvel Bay. POIC Lahad Datu is situated strategically in a heart of Sabah’s 5.4 million
hectares of oil palm plantation, surrounded by 130 palm oil mills within 50 km to 150 km
radius from town. Surrounding POIC Lahad Datu towards the coastal area are pristine
mangrove forest with very high biodiversity. From avian species such as kingfishers, herons,
various species of raptors, to marine wildlife such as fishes, crabs, clams, to popular primate
endemic to Borneo the Proboscis Monkeys.

The vast area of mangroves surrounding POIC Lahad Datu portray the importance of mangrove
forest as a buffer for natural disaster as well as protection towards erosion caused by
anthropogenic activities. It also provides the opportunities for advocacies towards conservation
of wetlands and awareness towards local authorities and surrounding communities.

POIC Lahad Datu

Map of Lahad Datu

POIC Operation Area in Lahad Datu, Sabah

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4. JUSTIFICATION

4.1 Setting up of Centre of Excellence

Establishment of Centre of Excellence to be platform to spread awareness among local

authorities, surrounding communities and visitors. Information displayed in the centre
would assist in understanding the importance to protect and conserve wetlands
theoretically. By having the Centre of Excellence in POIC Lahad Datu and being
surrounded by pristine mangrove forest, it will be a great platform to display the
importance of wetlands as a buffer to protect inland areas from natural disaster and to
prevent coastal erosion. Apart from that, the centre would also contribute in further
understanding the biodiversity and the value of wetlands through research and scientific
expeditions. Other than that, the centre would offer amazing natural and cultural havens
and heritage spectacles, landscape features, conservation/sustainability/wise use
centres, visitor attractions and ecoutourism venues, access to green space and
biodiversity conservation.

4.2 Collaborative partnership between SWCS and POIC Sdn Bhd

Engagement between SWCS and POIC Sdn Bhd will enhance the conservation and the
protection of wetlands in the east coast of Sabah. The east coast, consist of huge surface
area of wetlands comprises of very high diversity of flora and fauna are prone to land
use changes and development especially conversion to aquacultures and oil palm. With
high profile corporate organization such as POIC Sdn Bhd taking part and contribute
in environmental effort to protect wetland, would further increase the corporate profile
and expand the effort towards other companies within POIC Lahad Datu. It has been
suggested that environmental approach; i.e: planting trees, to be incorporated in the
management plan or development plan of each of the companies.

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4. DISPLAY OF INFORMATION

Wetland centres are likely to develop formal (local authorities and school) and informal
(general visitation and local communities) learning programmes that convey messages about
the importance of water, wetlands and wetland biodiversity. Further, they may emphasise
threats to wetlands as well as conservation solutions. Those linked to Ramsar sites and/or aware
of the Ramsar Convention objectives will promote the concept of the wise-use of wetlands.
The centre may develop messages according to the hierarchy infoomation as follows:
1. Core messages - These comprise the baseline of knowledge, attitudes/values and skills
needed by individuals and societies to inform and take action on behalf of the future
sustainability of wetlands and their biodiversity (or cultural/archaeological diversity).
2. Corporate messages - These are about the organisation running the wetland centre.
What are its vision and mission, aims and objectives, origins, history and
achievements? What does it believe in? What does it do? How may the visitor become
involved?
3. Centre of Excellence specific messages - These are messages that are unique to the
individual wetland centre.

Core Messages
At their simplest, core messages may be expressed as:
• Wetlands and their wildlife are wonderful.
• Wetlands and their wildlife are integral for human survival and prosperity
• Wetlands are in trouble and need our help
• We can all do something to help.

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Information that may want to be displayed:

Wetland knowledge Basic comprehension of water and wetland

ecosystems/communities
Water and wetlands Water
• What is water?
• Hydrology
• The water cycle
Wetlands
• What are wetlands? (Ramsar and other definitions).
• Types of wetlands and their characteristics
Roles of wetlands
• Water storage
• Carbon sinks
• Cleaner or filter
• Protector against extreme weather like floods, storms and
tsunamis
• Provider of products
• Homes to biodiversity (the variety of life – animals, plants,
microorganisms etc.).
What do wetlands mean to us?
• Historical and socio-cultural – civilisations began around
wetlands. Many major cities are built in and around wetlands
• Economic – what are wetlands worth? How can sustainable
wetlands support livelihoods and reduce poverty?
• Artistic – wetlands have provided a muse for centuries as
expressed through art, music, literature, drama, dance, TV,
film etc.
• Spiritual – religious or secular. Wetlands also provide a
profound sense of place.
Biodiversity • The variety of wetland life at the genetic, species and habitat
level
• Adaptation

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 • Evolution

Wetland values and Help people understand their own values, the values of the
feelings society they live in, and the values of others around the world
as a central part of educating for a sustainable future
• Reflect critically on their own lifestyle and choices
• Appreciate that we find meaning and make sense of the
environment in a number of ways which may be philosophical,
scientific or artistic. Understanding may also be based on
practical involvement and use of the environment, as well as
secondary sources such as education and media presentation.
• Value and respect the diversity of the world’s people, cultures
and ecosystems
• Engender a sense of hope and a positive personal and social
perspective about the future.

Corporate Messages
These are about the organisation running the wetland centre. What are its vision and mission,
aims and objectives, origins, history and achievements? What does it believe in? What does it
do? How may the visitor become involved?

Wetland Centre-Specific Messages

These are messages that are unique to the individual wetland centre. They comprise stories
about the place that cover:
• Its biodiversity
• Its geology and landscape
• Its cultural history (including archaeology and industrial/agricultural past)
• Relationship with local and regional community
• Where to go/where am I? – directional signage and maps
• Codes of conduct – e.g. being quiet, not running, not dropping litter etc.
• What to do with ‘stuff’ – e.g. litter, dogs, lost property (or people) etc.
• Where to find information
• How to join any appropriate organisation

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5. STORY BOARD

5.1 Wetland introduction

Sample wetland informative panel

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5.2 Corporate profile

Sample POIC Sdn Bhd informative panel

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6. APPENDICES

a. Maipo Wetland, Hong Kong

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b. Hong Kong Wetland Park

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c. Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site

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d. Yatsu-higata Nature Observation Centre

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e. Newspaper clippings

Borneo Post online dated 22 November 2021

Sabah News dated 22 November 2021

Daily Express online dated 22 November 2021

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