KUALA LUMPUR: The government will allocate RM48 million to preserve Malaysia’s pristine forests and natural biodiversity.
“Of this allocation, RM10 million will be utilised as a matching grant against private sector contributions towards conservation and biodiversity initiatives.
“These efforts include supporting the Central Forest Spine and Heart of Borneo initiatives, in addition to rehabilitate and restore degraded forests.
“There are fewer than 200 Malayan tigers left in the wild, and it is estimated there are about 11,000 orangutans in Malaysia,” said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in his 2020 Budget speech.
To support the efforts of the protecting these endangered animals, he said the government would allocate RM 15 million to the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MyCat) and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and other non-governmental organisations.
“To protect our flora and fauna better, RM20 million will be provided to employ more forest rangers among retired soldiers and local Orang Asli communities who know their lands the best.”