Coral planting within TTM making it's way to MBR

18 May 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The ongoing largest coral fragment planting event in Malaysia, situated at Simpang Mengayau within Tun Mustapha Park (TTM) in Kudat, is making its way into the prestigious Malaysia Book of Records (MBR).

This monumental endeavour involves attaching a total of 12,000 coral fragments to 1,000 metal frames, which are then transported and installed at a site approximately two kilometres from the Tip of Borneo, near Pulau Kalampunian.

Around 60 divers and 250 non-divers (participants) are engaged in the planting project, supported by five shuttle boats responsible for delivering the frames from the coral tying site on land to the deployment site at the Tip of Borneo.

Today (Sunday), three MBR inspectors, together with divers from Sabah Parks (TTS) — the organisation that initiated this planting programme — will inspect and certify the designated coral planting sites on the seafloor at TTM.

On Monday (19 May), TTS will receive the Certificate of Recognition from an MBR representative at a launch ceremony in Kudat.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, is expected to officiate the event, which carries the theme "Unite for Oceans" in celebration of the 9th anniversary of the gazettement of Tun Mustapha Park. The ceremony will be held at Dewan Tun Mustapha, Kudat, on 19 May (Monday).

"Kudos to the Director and team of Sabah Parks for implementing this major coral restoration initiative. I am proud that Tun Mustapha Park is making history by hosting Malaysia’s largest coral fragment planting event to date.  "

"This presents a valuable tourism opportunity for Kudat, already renowned for its picturesque Tanjung Simpang Mengayau (Tip of Borneo)," she said.

Dr Maklarin Lakim, Director of the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks (TTS), who led a delegation to pay a courtesy visit to Liew on Friday, briefed her on the project.  

"The main objectives of this programme are to rehabilitate damaged coral reefs within Taman Tun Mustapha (TTM) in Kudat and to involve the local community in marine conservation efforts," he explained.

He further outlined that this ambitious marine restoration project was carried out over two weeks, mobilising hundreds of participants, including certified divers, non-divers, local communities, and various stakeholders.

Dr Maklarin stated that TTS implemented the programme using the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS). This system comprises nine processes: Coral Habitat Assessment, Building of Frames (Reef Stars), Coral Collection, Coral Fragmentation, Tying of Coral Fragments to each Frame, Shuttle Transport of Frames to the Site (Reef Stars), Deployment of Reef Stars (installation of frames), Arrangement of Reef Stars to form a beehive web on the seabed, and Maintenance & Monitoring.

At the deployment site, 12 free-diver shuttle operators are responsible for delivering the frames from the surface to the seafloor; eight builder divers are tasked with securely installing the frames at designated locations within Tun Mustapha Park; 30 support divers assist the builder divers to ensure the smooth placement of the frames; and four rescue divers oversee safety throughout the operation.

Attending the courtesy call were TTS Senior Principal Assistant Director Fazrullah Rizally Haji Abdul Razak, Principal Assistant Director Ak Mohd Rodzan Pg Dahlan, Assistant Director Norhaslam Adin, and TTM Park Officer Ivycleire Edward.

Chronology of Events:

-5–12 May:Preparation of coral frames (Reef Stars) at Kg Tajau Laut, Kudat, involving a three-layer process using anti-rust treatment, resin, and sand.

13 May: Collection of over 20 coral species from TTM commenced and continued until 14 May, with strict adherence to harvesting protocols—only 10% of each coral colony was collected.

13–14 May: Transport of coral frames (Reef Stars) from Kg Tajau Laut to the Tip of Borneo.

15–18 May: Coral fragmentation and attachment of 12 fragments per frame (totaling 12,000 fragments) took place at the beach near Simpang Mengayau.

The frames were then shuttle-transferred from the beach to the deployment site near Kalampunian Island and successfully installed.

By 16 May, a total of 723 Reef Stars out of 1,000 had been successfully deployed at the site close to Pulau Kalampunian.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in marine conservation efforts in Malaysia, demonstrating a dedicated commitment to restoring and preserving coral ecosystems for future generations.