Royal helping hand in advancing Science

Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
Learning Curve: Perspective
New Sunday Times - 04-03-2012

Twenty five years and a royal nudge later, Malaysia accedes to the Antarctica Treaty System and all that it promises in the advancement of Science

Dr Mahathir declared Malaysia’s interest in Antarctica in 2004

THE suggestion that Malaysia should be involved in Antarctica was mooted in 1985, but it was not until late last year that we acceded to the Antarctica Treaty System (ATS).

It took more than 25 years, despite support and encouragement from the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who visited the icy continent in 2002. He declared Malaysia’s interest in Antarctica in 2004.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Malaysian scientists have been plying the route to Antarctica from various countries, for example Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Two had lost their lives in the process.

There has been steady output scientifically speaking, especially from the point of view of experiences and maturity. Antarctica, after all, is not just another continent.

It is the fifth largest continent in the world, larger than Australia and Europe but with virtually no inhabitants except hundreds of researchers and animals, notably penguins, seabirds, seals, polar bears, whales, and the plant kingdom. Some are unique to Antarctica.

Also known as the White Continent, only two per cent of the land is ice-free. The remaining is covered with thick ice caps.

Though occupying 10 per cent of the world's surface, the continent is said to contain 90 per cent of the world's ice and 70 per cent of its fresh water, forming the largest body of fresh water or ice in the world. This is one of many reasons why Malaysia needs to take active interest in Antarctica.

It is curious that it took more than a quarter of a century for Malaysia to accede to the ATS with its clearly stated lofty goal of ensuring “that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purpose and shall not become the scene or object of international discord”.

It therefore prohibits all military activities, suspends claims of territorial sovereignty and prohibits nuclear explosions, among others.

If Malaysia is not party to ATS, its scientists will not be able to fully participate in Antarctic explorations and discussions.

The treaty has been regarded as an exemplary model of international, interdisciplinary and inclusive collaboration for the management of a common heritage.

The delay was simply due to “ignorance” on the part of some officials as to what the continent has to offer, according to a well-informed presenter at the Polar Research Workshop organised in Penang last week.

It took the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin’s “intervention” to make it happen late last October. This is all detailed in the recently launched book Antarctica that records his adventure in the Big Ice.

In his Royal Message, Tuanku Mizan wrote: “Antarctica was never on my horizon until Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor, chairman of the Malaysia Antarctica Task Force, sought my help to try and expedite Malaysia’s accession to the Antarctica Treaty, despite having been participating in Antarctica research for nearly a decade. I then spoke to the Prime Minister.”

Salleh wrote: “The needling issue that needed urgent attention was Malaysia’s accession to ATS.” He recounted the many times when Malaysia was not allowed to take part in Antarctica-related meetings and was given just observer status.

He admitted being frustrated by the lack of progress, and worst, was “scuttled” by a Ministry based on “unfounded” objections.

Malaysia had to decline the 2010 invitation to the Antarctica Treaty Consultative Meeting due to never ending frustration at the slowness of the process.

Salleh was on the verge of desperation when he appealed  to Tuanku Mizan. Although he truly wanted Tuanku Mizan to go on the trip as the first serving Head of State from Malaysia to do so, he also wanted to seek his endorsement of the Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme (MARP) and put the country on the international map of scientific research.

Perhaps it is a sheer coincidence that within less than a month of Malaysia’s accession to the treaty that Tuanku Mizan made the landmark trip to Antarctica which he regards as “definitely a unique opportunity”. It was understood that without accession to ATS, the royal journey would not be possible.

Better late than never, as the saying goes. Now Malaysia — thanks to the royal invisible hand — is proud to be the first Asean country to accede to the ATS, and is among the five involved countries in Asia alongside China, South Korea and Japan to do so. Malaysia is the most active Muslim country in Antarctica research.

All this augurs well as we try to promote interest in Science and Technology, and 2012 being the Year of Science and Technology.

The Malaysia Polar Research Institute is set to embrace the spirit of ATS to extend the boundaries of knowledge of the White Continent before it melts away.

While we are indeed grateful, we hope that we do not need to resort to the invisible royal hand each time we need to advance cutting-edge sciences in the country.

- The writer is vice chancellor of the Albukhary International University.