Known for his optimism and composure, Balu, 54, had been a huge advocate for working with communities in conserving nature and a strong voice on the need to do more.
Balu was the head of conservation at the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and had more than 30 years of experience in natural resources management and environmental conservation in Malaysia and the Asean region.
MNS president Ahmad Ismail, who had known Balu for more than 10 years, said Balu’s humility in sharing his vast knowledge and experience on conservation was one of his best qualities.
“I knew Balu long before he joined MNS through our activities together in nature conservation. We became closer when he was part of the team in MNS and I was on the council.
“I have so many fond memories with him. We did so many activities together, from planting trees to public engagement and developing strategies to scientific expeditions and seminars.”
Ahmad said one of Balu’s greatest contributions was his advocacy work in Cameron Highlands on tree planting with local organisations.
“Cameron Highlands is known for landslide disasters, mud floods due to land clearing for agricultural activities. Balu had always been involved in restoring many of the degraded areas,” he said.
Ahmad also said Balu was part of wildlife projects such as the Sahabat Raja Rimba and Sahabat Beruang Madu, which were programmes to improve the conservation of sun bears and tigers by educating locals on wildlife protection.
Chief executive of the Malaysian Ecotourism and Conservation Society Andrew Sebastian, who knew Balu for 15 years, described him as a calm and collected person who dedicated his whole life to conservation.
Sebastian said Balu was a family man who managed to find a balance between his job and family life.
“We would travel a lot while working and most evenings he was on the phone with his family. He would stay back late in the office and be in a corner chatting with his children giving them advice,” he told FMT.
Sebastian said one of his favourite memories of Balu was when they were organising a scientific expedition and they were discussing how they loved their job.
“We were helping to organise a scientific expedition of researchers and students in Perak. Someone came up and said how tough it must be to organise the expedition.
“Balu and I laughed because we couldn’t believe we were getting paid to do this. We really enjoyed and loved our job,” he said.
Sebastian said Balu’s signature work was his projects with local communities on the conservation of mangroves in the Kuala Gula area in Perak by educating the people on the wise use of wetlands.
“Balu was a true champion in the conservation field through a lot of his community work in the country,” he said.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR LIVE UPDATE OF THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA