Tanjung Piai, Johor, 30th June: UTM and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) in a joint effort carried out voluntary work in Tanjung Piai National Park to clean up the oil sludge which occurred recently.
This effort is part of the UTM University Social Responsibility (USR) voluntary work in crisis management. The UTM USR has been active in doing social and voluntary work locally and internationally.
The UTM team comprises 80 students from the UTM PALAPES (Reserve Officers Training Unit), currently undergoing their training at the university.
The MNS team was headed by Professor Dr. Maketab Mohamed, who is the President of the Malaysian Nature Society.
The UTM Vice Chancellor Datuk Zaini Ujang in a statement said that this voluntary work is part of UTM’s commitment towards sustainability and preservation of the environment.
He further added “UTM as a research university has been actively participating and contributing towards environmental issues and quality of life in the surrounding area, especially in the Iskandar development region”.
The oil spill which stretches 600 metres long has caused damage to the mangrove tree roots at the national park and clean-up efforts need to be done with immediate effect to prevent further destruction to the surrounding area.
UTM has pledged full cooperation in helping to address the problem through its USR initiative in collaboration with all parties concerned and this initiative with the MNS is one such effort.
by Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang
Vice Chancellor Universiti Teknologi Malaysia