Coral Planting and Reef Clean-Up Project In Commemoration of Merdeka Day Highlights The Importance Of Marine Biodiversity

4 September 2015, Pulau Aur, Mersing, Johor - Malakoff Corporation Berhad today continues its commitment towards the environment by collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) and Department of Marine Park Malaysia (JTLM) in its efforts to care for the marine ecosystem. The Malakoff Coral Planting and Reef Clean-Up Project 2015 held from 28 to 30 August 2015, was aimed at highlighting the importance of coral in the marine ecosystem and to raise awareness and support from the local community on the threats that they are facing.

The project was launched by Director of Research and Resource Inventory Department of JTLM, Abdul Muntalib bin Juli, who acknowledged Malakoff’s on-going effort of championing the rehabilitation of coral.

“This is the fifth year of our collaboration with Malakoff involving the marine ecosystem. We have received positive feedbacks on the previous programs and this has spurred Malakoff to continue working with us on this noble effort.”

“This year, the project is carried out in the coastal waters of Pulau Aur, Mersing, Johor. Pulau Aur is an important coral nursery in Malaysia as it has a conducive environment for the coral to propagate. According to statistics, it is the habitat of at least 183 types of corals and 232 reef-fish species. Pulau Aur is also the largest island in a group of 3 islands that reside in the Pulau Aur Marine Park,” added Abdul Muntalib in his speech.

At the event, a contribution of RM30,000 from Malakoff was also handed out to Abdul Muntalib as the representative from JTLM for the project.

During the 3-day event, 20 divers from JTLM and Malakoff participated in the cleaning of ghost nets and coral planting in the coastal waters of Pulau Aur. Total of 20 frames submerged into the coastal waters where divers planted coral nubbins to conserve the coral in the area. The Pulau Aur community, consisting of fishermen, students, private agencies and tourists also participated in marine awareness programs and were briefed on the importance of corals to the marine ecosystem.

A special session symbolically called “Merdeka Dive” was carried out on 30th August, where the divers hoisted the Jalur Gemilang underwater during a reef clean-up to mark the celebration of Malaysia’s 58 years of independence.

Speaking of the project, Chief Executive Officer of Malakoff, Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar said the continuity of the project reflected Malakoff’s profound commitment to the Environment. “We are pleased with the enthusiastic involvement of the local communities in the Malakoff Coral Planting and Reef Clean-Up Project. Such collaboration with JTLM enables the communities to be a part of the project’s success while allowing us to build meaningful engagements with them.”

“Malakoff’s previous environmental efforts in Pulau Mentinggi, Johor have generated positive impact to the community and the marine biodiversity in the surrounding areas. With the strong interest in conserving the ecosystem shown by the community in Pulau Aur, I’m positive that the same result can be replicated here,” he added.

As a result of its commitment to the Environment, Malakoff has previously received several regional and national CSR awards on its environment efforts, namely the prestigious Anugerah Langkawi (2014) and Environment Week Special Appreciation (2013) by NRE, CSR of the Year Award (2013) by MIM, Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards on Green Leadership (2013), Appreciation for Habitat Restoration Initiatives in conjunction with World Ocean Day (2012) by NRE and Prime Minister’s CSR Award in Environment (2010).