Environment sector loses a real hero
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 29, 2006

Leading environmentalist and former consumer advocate Bisan Singh Ram Singh, 65, passed away at about 6.43am this morning at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan, after having succumbed to a series of illnesses.

Bisan, who was Malaysian Environmental NGOs (Mengo) chairperson, leaves behind wife Mary Lai and children Sunitha and Jeevan.

“For as long as I remember, Bisan has been a dedicated and passionate individual, and for the most part of his career has been contributing to the conservation cause,” said Mengo vice-chairperson Dr Dionysius Sharma.

“Not many individuals can make or have made it a part of a lifelong career, but he has… I hope that whatever he has done for us in the environment circle, will be emulated by the rest of us,” he said.

Born in Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, he spent much of his career as a school teacher and later resigned to work as a consumer advocate. He was the president of Consumers Association of Pahang for 20 years, and took part in the World Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.

He won the 2006 Langkawi Award, and is known for his relentless and humble efforts in promoting sustainable development amongst civil societies, while engaging the cooperation and complementing efforts of local and federal governments.

More than being a watchdog for the Malaysian environment sector and a pioneering champion for environment cause, Bisan has been also noted as a strong advocate of community development and public participation in nation-building.

A development consultant by profession, he has always been a man who worked at grassroots level with local communities promoting sustainable living and development through capacity building, consultancy and various projects, while in partnership with the public and private sectors.

Amazing Malaysian award

One of Bisan’s most recent notable efforts was spearheading of the Save the Tasik Chini Campaign for which, telecommunications’ giant Digi gave him the acclaimed Amazing Malaysian award in recognition for his work.

The project, which took off two years ago, is undertaken by Kuantan-based Sustainable Development Network, Malaysia – founded and currently chaired by Bisan.

Some of the other key responsibilities taken on by him in recent years include being at the helm of leadership in Malaysian Institute of Social Change (MINSOC) as the executive director, as well as the president and founder of Sustainable Kuantan Initiative and advisor to a grassroots women-based publication, Penita.

Yet his efforts were not confined within the Pahang state boundaries, but instead are far-reaching especially with his active participation and involvement in the coalition since its inception. Apart from his recent chairmanship, he also served as the vice-chair for the previous term ending June 2006 and prior to that as a member of the Mengo Cooperating Committee for the last two terms.

Bisan has been instrumental in many of Mengo’s efforts to enhance relations, not only within the network but with the government agencies at both federal and state levels.

In Mengo, he took on leadership to advance the organising of the country’s national environment event – National Conference and Exhibition on Sustainability, Malaysia 2005 (SM2005) that took off successfully on June 6-8, 2005, and the upcoming National Conference on Sustainability, Malaysia 2007 (SM2007).

Bisan’s other past notable national level advocacy efforts include his four-term service as president of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) during which time he successfully and executed the nationwide Save Taman Negara campaign.

Inspiration to many

In the international arena, Bisan was appointed senior advisor of farmer-centred Agriculture Resource Management, a programme under the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), assuming the role of overseeing environment and community development projects under this programme.

Despite wearing many management caps and winning corporate and national accolades, Bisan walked and served humbly in all capacities and was a strong advocate of nurturing and grooming both new and young leaders to the environmental cause here in Malaysia and around the world.

Evidently, his passion and dedication towards the cause in itself has inspired many who know him and of his work (family, friends, and colleagues alike) to take small steps towards the same direction.

The cortege leaves the family residence: A617, Lorong Selamat 24, Taman Cooperative, Kuantan, Pahang tomorrow (Nov 30) at 11am for Jalan Bukit Ubi crematorium in Kuantan.

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