Official Launching of Ocean Malaysia: Langkawi

Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), in collaboration with the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia has officially launched “Ocean Malaysia Langkawi” on 27th February 2023. Ocean Malaysia Partnership is a flagship program, inspired by the achievement of Ocean Canada Partnership and led by Dr. Lubna Alam, Fellow, LESTARI. The principal goal of Ocean Malaysia is to find benefits of humanity through understanding and addressing threats facing Malaysia’s West coast, East coast and Borneo regions and seek opportunities to develop a shared vision for the future of our oceans and community.

The program was inaugurated by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Management Sector) LADA, Haji Ahmad Fuad bin Che Ani. The speech text read by Dr. Azmil Munif bin Bukhari, Deputy Manager of the Tourism Division, LADA stated, “This Ocean Malaysia collaboration path is an initiative that uses an inter and multidisciplinary approach, encompassing a variety of expertise and stakeholder involvement. These include economics, law, geography, humanities, ethics, fisheries science and oceanography. “The main goal of Ocean Malaysia collaboration is to ensure that all parties involved understand their respective roles especially in addressing challenges, especially in issues related to the ocean and environment as well as communities and ecosystems in Malaysia.

The launching ceremony and the forum were also attended by LESTARI’s Deputy Director, Associate Professor Dr. Sharina Abdul Halim and 100 participants of academician, non-government agencies (NGO), private parties and local community.

Report by Dr. Lubna Alam.