Liew (seated, middle), flanked by Lai (on her left) and Yee, with Aloysius (right), Dr Siti Maryam (standing, second right), and members of the SEPA delegation.
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew wants the Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) to renew its expired working relationship as a partner with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) for mutual benefits.
She said KePKAS and SEPA have the capacity to jointly carry out meaningful activities and implement environment-related programmes if their partnership is restored.
“For many years, the Ministry and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) were great partners in addressing relevant concerns and tackling environmental issues in Sabah.
“We welcome SEPA to come on board again so that we can work together to realise our shared vision and the common goal of protecting the environment for generations to come,” Liew said after a recent courtesy call by a delegation from SEPA headed by its President Alexander Yee.
Other members of the delegation comprised Secretary Margaret Chin Sat Peng, Legal Adviser Lau Cheung Hoon, and Executive Committee Members Datin Agnes Chung Yeh Nie, Benjamin Golimbi and Eric Ye.
Saying Kota Kinabalu is the State capital and the gateway to Sabah, the Minister said it is vital to give first-time visitors a good first impression “because first impressions are often lasting ones”.
Yee, who briefed Liew on SEPA’s status, concurred that the association should prioritise the Ministry’s agenda of maintaining cleanliness and beautifying the landscape towards making Kota Kinabalu a likeable and livable city for both locals and tourists.
“SEPA will give priority to the cleanliness of Kota Kinabalu, among other aspects. I will personally look into implementing initiatives in collaboration with KePKAS,” he assured the Minister.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Senior Assistant Secretary Dr Dayang Siti Maryam Mohd Hanan and Environment Protection Department (EPD) Deputy Director Daisy Aloysius.
