Meet Kevin Hiew, Malaysia's protector of the seas

Back in the 1970s, the setting up of marine parks tended to evoke protests from state governments and fishermen. At that time, the idea of restricting fishing activities to a designated zone was thought to reduce income and incur loss of opportunities for the fishing industry.

In 1994, Kevin Hiew, who had joined the Fisheries Department some 20 years earlier, was transferred to head the Marine Park Section and given the task of setting up marine parks around the country. It was a mammoth task because, for the protected areas to work, a delicate balance was required in engaging various agencies in the federal and state governments and reaching a mutual agreement.