KOTA KINABALU, Feb. 14 -- Sabah is further expanding its Totally Protected Areas (TPA) through the gazettement of approximately 216,000 hectares of new areas involving commercial forest reserves and State Land, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said this will increase Sabah's TPA to 2.227 million hectares, or about 30.06 per cent of the State's total land area.

"This milestone not only allows the 30 per cent TPA target to be met but also boosts Sabah's image as the State with the largest TPA in Malaysia," he said at the Sabah Forestry Department's Excellent Service Awards ceremony at the SICC, here, today.

His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

Hajiji said the import...