Our Background

RUGS is led by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS). Since 1940, MNS has been a prominent, if not the oldest, environmental NGO in Malaysia known for its numerous conservation efforts.

MNS has been instrumental in safeguarding Malaysia’s diverse habitats and natural heritages such as the Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Pulau Tioman Marine Park, and the Central Forest Spine (CFS), which includes the Endau-Rompin State Park, Belum-Temenggor Forest Complex, and Taman Negara. 

Our Background

RUGS is led by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS). Since 1940, MNS has been a prominent, if not the oldest, environmental NGO in Malaysia known for its numerous conservation efforts.

MNS has been instrumental in safeguarding Malaysia’s diverse habitats and natural heritages such as the Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Pulau Tioman Marine Park, and the Central Forest Spine (CFS), which includes the Endau-Rompin State Park, Belum-Temenggor Forest Complex, and Taman Negara. 

The RUGS project has received support from the Small Grants Programme (SGP)

SGP is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The SGP provides grants up to US$50,000 directly to local communities including community-based organisations, indigenous people and other non-governmental groups for projects involving biological diversity, climate change, land degradation, sustainable forest management, international waters and chemicals.

Core Team

Vivian Soon

MNS Wildlife and Conservation Officer
  • Plays a key role in developing the proposal and planning for RUGS
  • Actively involved in conservation initiatives that balance scientific research with practical applications to protect Malaysia’s natural resources
  • Strives to inspire collective action to foster harmonious co-existence with nature

Donovan Louis

MNS Head of Conservation Department
  • Oversees key projects aimed at landscape conservation, species protection, and sustainable natural resource management
  • Spearheaded and contributed to numerous community-based and field conservation projects across Malaysia
  • Skilled in integration of on-the-ground conservation work with strategic planning to address environmental challenges

Ng Sean Fong

MNS Data & Policy Officer
  • Plays critical role in ensuring environmental considerations are integrated into decision-making processes
  • Advocates for stronger environmental policies through evidence-based research and data-driven recommendations
  • Firmly believes that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility

Raffi Ismail

MNS Marketing and
Partnership Manager
  • Leads strategic communications and partnership developments
  • Oversees campaigns and corporate CSR initiatives to promote sustainability and biodiversity protection
  • Committed to driving positive environmental change through effective stakeholder collaborations

I.S. Shanmugaraj Subramaniam

MNS Executive Director
  • Oversees organisational operations and drives mission to protect and conserve Malaysia’s natural heritage
  • Represents MNS in engaging with key stakeholders, including policymakers, corporate partners and international organisations
  • Spearheads initiatives to promote environmental awareness and sustainability education

Our Experts

We draw our inspiration from the trusted, skilled, and knowledgeable, who have diligently devoted their efforts to the RUGS project.

Dr Shawn Lum

  • Former President of Nature Society (Singapore)
  • Senior lecturer at the Nanyang Technological University’s Asian School of the Environment
  • Expertise in plant diversity, forest ecology, and conservation

Dr Geoffrey Davison

  • Deputy Director (Terrestrial) at the National Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board of Singapore
  • His expertise range across ornithology, tropical forest ecology and animal taxonomy

johan

Johan Abdul Razak

  • Affiliate of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
  • Currently attached to Khazanah Nasional Berhad
  • Programme Leader in Taman Tugu
  • His portfolio included transformation, digital & technology and sustainability

Dr-Dzaeman-IMG

Dr Dzaeman Dzulkifli

  • Executive Director of the Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre
  • An ecologist who focuses on developing sustainable land use strategies
  • Working on setting up ex-situ collections of Dipterocarps throughout the region

    • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Teck Wyn (“Teckwyn”)

    • An environmental consultant who focuses on the interaction between people, wildlife and forests
    • Co-founder of Resource Stewardship Consultants Sdn Bhd (RESCU)

    Peter Leong

    • Active in forest conservation since 2014
    • Focuses on mapping the land status of forest and development areas
    • Specialises in laws related to public access rights, land development and protected areas.

    Steven Wong

    • Former environmental consultant. Currently a nature guide and wildlife photographer based in Kuala Lumpur, with 8 years of experience guiding night walks and has unique interest in herpetofauna
    • Has vast experience on identifying herpetofauna species and conducting ecological surveys

    Carolyn Lau

    • President of Free Tree Society and co-founder of Sampah, Menyampah
    • Advocates for a cleaner and litter free Malaysia, and encourages people to reconnect with nature via tree-planting and rewilding of urban spaces

    SEE MORE CONSULTANTS

    Government Agencies

    NRES
    PLANMalaysia
    DWNP
    DBKL
    DBKL
    MBPJ
    DID Selangor
    Yayasan MySDG

    Local Guardians

    We forefront and tap into local strengths and indigenous wisdom in steering the landscape strategy.
    Free Tree Society (FTS)
    Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK)
    Friends of Bukit Dinding (FoBD)
    Malaysian Green Building
    Council (MalaysiaGBC)
    Taman Tugu
    Kota Damansara Community
    Forest Society (KDCFS)
    Shah Alam Community
    Forest Society (SACFS)
    Forest House Sdn Bhd
    UM Rimba Ilmu
    Wetlands International
    Tropical Rainforest Conservation
    & Research Centre (TRCRC)
    Animal Neigbours Project (ANP)
    MyNEF
    Jungle School Gombak
    Alliance of River Three (ART)
    GRASS Malaysia
    Water Warriors UM

    Supported by

    Global Environment Facility (GEF)
    Small Grants Programme (SGP)
    United Nation Development
    Programme (UNDP)
    Conservation Allies
    Copyright © 2023 Malaysian Nature Society.
    All rights reserved.

    Rantaian Urban Green Spaces (RUGS)
    The initiative by
    Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
    MNS Headquarters, JKR 641 
    Jalan Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan
    50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    03-2287 942

    rugs@mns.org.my

    Copyright © 2023 Malaysian Nature Society.
    All rights reserved.