Malakoff Corporation Berhad (Malakoff) today successfully launched the next phase of its ‘Save Our Mangrove’ initiative, committing a further RM100,000 to plant 7,000 mangrove saplings at two national parks in Johor, namely Tanjung Piai National Park and Pulau Kukup National Park.

The ‘Save Our Mangrove’ initiative which is a part of the Company’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility platform – the Malakoff Community Partnerships, is a project in collaboration with the Johor National Parks Corporation (Perbadanan Taman Negara Johor) for the second consecutive year. The project is a follow-on effort from Malakoff’s mangrove conservation programme launched in 2009 with an initial investment of RM200,000. This year, the event was graced by Dato' Haji Obet Bin Tawil, the State Secretary of Johor, representing Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani Othman, the Menteri Besar of Johor.

Speaking about the event, Zainal Abidin Jalil, the Chief Executive Officer of Malakoff said, “Malakoff truly believes that conservation efforts need to be in tandem with the development of the area to benefit the community and the ecosystem in the long run. In line with the expansion of our power plant in Tanjung Bin, we are equally committed to expand our role as a responsible participant of the local community.”

“Malakoff initiated the ‘Save Our Mangrove’ programme to help boost conservation efforts of our local ecosystem. I am pleased that the programme is a growing success as it has received the solid support of the local authorities and communities since its inception in 2009,” he added.

To date, Malakoff has planted 37,000 saplings of mangroves across the Southern region, underlining the positive environmental impact that the “Save Our Mangrove” initiative has contributed. Out of the total saplings planted, 20,000 of it were planted in Mukim Serkat adjacent to Malakoff’s Tanjung Bin power plant, while the remaining was planted in Tanjung Piai and Pulau Kukup National Parks.

During the replanting ceremony, students from local universities around the region were also roped in to take part in the conservation programme. In addition, Malakoff distributed educational booklets to the schools and local communities to further spread the conservation message.

Elaborating further on the importance of protecting the mangroves, Zainal said, “There has been a steep decline in the Malaysian mangrove forest over the past two decades which will eventually lead to a negative impact on the ecosystem if we do not do something about it. Mangroves along the southwest coastal area of Johor are especially important as it protects the inland villages from storms.”

“Studies have also shown that mangroves not only act as a natural barrier against coastal erosion, but it also filters water-borne pollutions. Recognising the importance of mangroves, Malakoff will continue to collaborate closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the ‘Save Our Mangrove’ programme remains sustainable and effective,” concluded Zainal.