Malakoff Corporation Berhad (Malakoff) recently channelled RM60,000 to plant 8,000 mangrove saplings in Seberang Perai, Pulau Pinang, as part of the third phase of the Company’s Mangrove Rehabilitation Project aimed at restoring the eroding ecosystem in the coastal region.

Initiated in 2009, the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project is an initiative under the Company’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform - the Malakoff Community Partnerships. Through the earlier phases, the project has resulted in 37,000 saplings being planted around the Johor region. This year’s effort was organised in close partnership with Persatuan Kebajikan Nelayan-Nelayan Pantai Pulau Pinang (PIFWA).

Speaking about the initiative, Zainal Abidin Jalil, the Chief Executive Officer of Malakoff said, “We are pleased with the enthusiastic involvement of the local communities in our CSR efforts such as the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project. Such collaborations enable the communities to be a part of the programmes’ success while allowing us to build meaningful engagements with them.”

“Malakoff’s previous mangrove replanting efforts in Johor have generated positive impact for the community and the environment in the surrounding areas. With the strong interest in conserving the ecosystem shown by the community in Seberang Prai, the same result can be replicated here,” he added.

During the programme, Malakoff volunteers teamed up with the local communities, who are mostly fishermen and planted 2,000 saplings in Sungai Acheh and the balance of 6,000 saplings will be planted in stages around Seberang Prai Selatan. To ensure the success of the programme, two supervisors will be monitoring the mangrove’s growth and survival over the next year.

Further to this, Malakoff has also sponsored the construction of a 120-feet mangrove walkway weaving through the forest. The new infrastructure will provide better access for locals and tourists to learn as well as appreciate the importance and role of mangrove reserves.

Elaborating on the importance of mangroves for the communities, Ilias bin Shafie, president of PIFWA said, “Research has shown that the mangroves have played a crucial role as a natural barrier against coastal erosion and floods. Mangroves form a natural habitat for diverse marine life which is an important source of income for the local communities here.”

“We are very grateful for the proactive measures undertaken by Malakoff for the benefit of the local communities in Seberang Prai. A healthy mangrove forest would not only strengthen the marine ecosystem, it would also help promote the area as an ecotourism destination, ultimately contributing to the local fishing communities’ economic well-being,” he added.

During the previous two phases of the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project, 20,000 saplings were planted in Mukim Serkat adjacent to Malakoff’s Tanjung Bin power plant, while another 17,000 were planted in Tanjung Piai and Pulau Kukup National Parks.

Meanwhile on its operations side, Malakoff has ensured its power plants comply with the stringent health, safety and environmental regulations in Malaysia. The Company’s power plants are ISO 14001 certified and comply with the highest regulatory standards.