Amalia the bekantan conservationist receives ASEAN award

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - A young Biology lecturer of Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), who is famous as a bekantan (Nasalis larvatus) conservationist, Amalia Rezeki, received the prestigious award of AYECA in Cambodia, Tuesday night (Oct 8, 2019).

The ASEAN Youth Eco-champions Award (AYECA) recognises young citizens, aged 18-35 years, from ASEAN Member States (AMS) who have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment. The award is presented to two youth eco-champions per AMS. There are two categories based on age: Junior Category (Aged 18-25) Senior Category (Aged 26-35)

This is the first time for her to receive an international award. Amalia Rezeki has previously gained many regional and national awards.
She was not alone to Cambodia, but accompanied by Susy Herawati and Windarty from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (LHK) of the Republic of Indonesia.

The bekantan rescue received the 2019 AYECA 2019 from Japan State Minister, Minister of Environment MS Yukari Sato and Tun Sa Im, Ministry of education, Youth and Sport in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

"I am very grateful to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for His Gift and Mercy today I am standing on the honorable podium representing hundreds of millions of Indonesia's young generation to receive award in the field of environment among ASEAN countries in Siem Reap, Cambodia," she noted,  

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As a biology lecturer, Amalia Rezeki's love for proboscis monkey has no doubt. Most of her life is dedicated to preserving and protecting the long-nosed animal which is an icon of South Kalimantan.

She is the first woman in Indonesia who has dedicated herself sincerely and consistently since five years to protect the proboscis monkey from extinction.

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In supporting this effort Amalia founded the Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia (Indonesian Bekantan Friends Foundation), with a mission to Save Bekantan. This effort is inseparable from guidance from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through the South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA).

For her, the dedication to the preservation of proboscis monkey is not an appreciation, but a form of responsibility as a citizen, science, and faith as the vicegerent of the earth and for the sustainability of future generations. "As a key species, saving bekantan for us is saving the planet," said Amalia Rezeki.

ULM Rector Prof. Dr. H. Sutarto Hadi, MSc. congratulated and proud of Amalia Rezeki, who is a young lecturer with outstanding achievements.

"Excellent, very proud. ULM is grateful to have lecturers who have achievements in the environmental and received international recognition. This achievement is proof that ULM has become a leading and competitive university," he said.