By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) will be contributing RM31,000 to support the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl’s kelip-kelip (fireflies) and mangrove rehabilitation project at the Darau Wetland Ecotourism site.
Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew announced this during the launch of the new tourism product at Kg Darau.
She congratulated the club for its farsightedness in conserving the firefly population and rehabilitating the dwindling mangrove area, in collaboration with the local community.
“The lady Rotarians’ initiative reflects their concern for environmental protection, ecotourism promotion, and the people’s socio-economic well-being.
“We do not plant for today alone — we plant for tomorrow, for generations yet to come,” she said.
Liew said the Ministry was playing its part to ensure the success and sustainability of the club’s commendable efforts to transform Darau into a full-fledged ecotourism destination.
She urged the Darau community to work together to promote the site so that more domestic and international visitors would discover this relatively new destination.
“I hope the international Rotary Clubs involved in this project will also promote this ecotourism product to their colleagues, friends, and families back home,” she added.
She also assured that her Ministry would continue supporting efforts to make Darau Wetland one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Sabah.
“You have river cruises, sunset views, kelip-kelip sightings, and many other products that can be developed in the future,” she said.
Liew also presented certificates of appreciation to leaders or representatives from the Rotary Club of Marina City (Singapore), Taipei (Taiwan), Taichung Hui Min (Taiwan), Makati Emerald (Philippines), Metro Kuala Lumpur, and Kulai Johor.
Datin Jeanette Tambakau, who is also the club’s community service chairperson (2024–2025), said the Minister’s presence reflected strong support and commitment towards environmental conservation, eco-tourism, and community empowerment.
The project, which started in 2017–2018 under Past President Datuk Suzannah Liaw, has since grown into one of the club’s most impactful environmental initiatives.
With the collective support of members, partners, and generous sponsors, the club raised nearly RM100,000 to plant a total of 13,200 trees.
Of the total, 8,000 mangrove trees were planted at the Sulaman Mangrove Conservation Area with the help of Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors.
Another 4,000 mangroves were planted in Darau in collaboration with the local community and supported by a RM15,000 grant from KePKAS in 2018.
An additional 5,200 fruit and decorative trees were planted in homes, schools, colleges, and at Likas Bay.
Jeanette also acknowledged Organising Chairman Chendramata Sinteh for her commitment in planting an additional 6,000 mangrove seedlings in collaboration with UMS during her 2024–2025 term.
“This programme is not just about trees, nor just about fireflies, but about restoring balance to our ecosystem, reviving the natural wonder of the Darau River, and empowering the local community to become stewards of conservation and sustainable eco-tourism,” she said.
