PETALING JAYA: The country's oldest environmental group, Malaysian Nature Society, has elected its first woman president.
Anna Wong @ Wong Yun Moi (pic), who was senior lecturer of Institute Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) and Faculty of Tropical Forestry at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, was elected president during its 77th annual general meeting last Saturday (Sept 21).
Wong, who has also been the Sabah MNS chairman for 15 years, is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) species specialist group for otters and amphibians.
Wong joined MNS in 1993 and contributed to the MNS Strategy Plan 2017-2023, especially on monitoring terrestrial important bird area sites such as Imbak Canyon conservation area and the Danum Valley conservation area.
She also took part in scientific expeditions and raised awareness on the protection and gazetting of Pulau Ular, off Labuan.
"Make the changes happen today, never think it's too late," she said when contacted over her win.
She added that it was also important to "love life (and) love nature."
Set up in 1940, MNS has won multiple awards for its conservation and environment work in the country.
Also elected vice-presidents during the election were Noor Jehan Abu Bakar and Ayadurai Letchumanan.
Associate Professor Dr Chong Ju Lian was elected honorary secretary while Dr Rajendran Muthu was chosen as honorary treasurer.
Other council members are Dr Mohd Iskandar Mohd Ghazalli, Dr Thiagaraj Sivanandram and Dr Khairul Anuar Abdullah.
"The new council will continue to strengthen and support MNS's vision to promote the study, appreciation and conservation of Malaysia's natural heritage, focusing on biological diversity and sustainable development via collaborations and networking with grassroots communities, corporate and government agencies," said MNS in a statement.
