Compiled by EMALIN ZALANI, JAROD LIM and R. ARAVINTHAN
REEF Check Malaysia (RCM) has revealed that the condition of the country’s coral reefs has declined for the second consecutive year, Berita Harian reported.
It was now at 44.65%, down from 45.87% in 2023, according to the NGO’s 2024 annual survey report.
RCM chief executive officer Julian Hyde said after surveying over 300 locations nationwide, the decline, albeit minimal, was linked to factors such as tourism, pollution and fishing activities.
“About 83% of surveyed sites have been affected by discarded fishing nets and litter, while 56% suffered damage from boat anchors.
“In Sabah, 64% of coral reefs have been harmed due to fish bombing.
“These human activities have a severe negative impact on coral reefs. We must urgently address these threats to protect marine ecosystems from unsustainable practices,” he was quoted as saying.
> Actress Rozita Che Wan has admitted that the controversy surrounding her debt with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has led to some friends shunning her, Kosmo! reported.
The 52-year-old, who is better known as Che Ta, said she was not surprised by the situation and believed it was part of a greater plan.
“When God tests us, we can see that it is to remove certain people from our lives.
“I only think positively. There is always wisdom behind everything,” she was quoted as saying.
Commenting on her debt issue with Mara, the actress said except for a housing loan, she was debt-free.
“I think everyone has financial commitments like that,” she said.
On Dec 10, it was reported that Mara, along with lawyers and court representatives, raided Rozita’s residence in Kota Damansara over allegations that she had failed to settle a loan amounting to nearly RM1mil.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
