13 MAY 2005
TITAN CHEMICALS RAISES DUGONG CONSERVATION AGENDA
- Largest polyolefins producer contributes RM114,000 for a research grant

Found in 37 countries around the world, including Malaysia, dugongs today are disappearing and on the verge of becoming extinct globally. In an effort to preserve Malaysia’s dugong population in the Johore area, Titan Chemicals is providing RM114, 000 ( USD 30,000) grant to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the “Titan Chemicals-UNDP Dugong Conservation Project”.

At the cheque presentation ceremony, Mr Donald M. Condon Jr, Managing Director, Titan Chemicals said, “While looking for a meaningful way to play a role in environmental conservation in Johore, we came across this idea of protecting the dugongs. These shy animals captivated our imagination and we felt it was a great cause. Our partner, UNDP will spearhead the 6 month project which will focus on the population and distribution of the dugong population, habitat distribution, and threats to the mammal. It will result in guidelines for best management practices for dugong and marine mammal ecosystems.

The mock cheque was presented by Mr Donald Condon, Managing Director, Titan Chemicals to Dr Richard Leete, Resident Representative of UNDP Malaysia in a ceremony witnessed by YB Dato’ Suboh bin Mohd Yassin , Deputy Secretary-General, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia during the presentation.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, State Economic Planning Unit of Johor, Johor National Parks Board, the University of Malaya Maritime Research Centre and the Department of Fisheries from State and Federal levels.

“We are heartened by the exemplary corporate social and environment responsibility shown by Titan Chemicals to the community they operate in, and their desire to bolster marine biodiversity conservation efforts,” said Dr Richard.

Dr Leete explained that this 6-month project was a preliminary step towards the development of a programme. This will also contribute to a larger marine park project that the Malaysian government together with UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has developed on the conservation and sustainable use of marine parks in Peninsular Malaysia.

Titan Chemicals will also involve its staff in the study and conservation activities, as well as build up awareness of dugong in the local community. It will also provide non-monetary assistance and contribution to the research team to support their fieldwork.

Other partners involved in this project are State Government of Johor, Johor National Park Corporation, Johor Fisheries Department and the Marine Parks Department in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE).

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For information on the Titan Chemicals – UNDP Dugong Conservation Project, please visit www.undp.org.my

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