KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Bhd is balancing its business operations with social and environmental preservation, allowing the conglomerate to play a meaningful role in society.
Group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson said it was important for government-linked companies (GLCs) to lead by example to preserve Malaysia's precious natural heritage, embedded throughout their business operations, to safeguard the environment for future generations.
"However, the responsibility to care for our environment lies with all of us. Awareness on the importance of conserving forest ecosystems needs to be nurtured among Malaysians, and GLCs can be intermediaries who assist to educate and empower the community, thereby encouraging conservation and preservation efforts," he told the New Straits Times (NST).
Jeffri said Sime Darby has always strived to grow in a responsible manner with various programmes in collaboration with Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD).
This enabled the group to create shared value for the community and contribute to the preservation of the environment.
Sime Darby supports key projects such Mangrove Conservation and Sustainable Livelihood programme in Perak, as well as Mangrove Conservation and Central Forest Spine projects with four major forest complexes.
They are Banjaran Titiwangsa-Banjaran Bintang-Nakawan, Taman Negara- Banjaran Timur, Southeast Pahang, Chini and Bera Wetlands, and Endau Rompin Park-Kluang Wildlife Reserves.
The three following projects contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services within the forest complexes namely Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME), Anti-Poaching Efforts in Royal Belum State Park and Sime Darby Plant–a–Tree (SDPAT) programme at Kamuning Estate.
"Supporting initiatives such as these are important for us as we believe that cultivating sustainable eco-systems and thriving communities can benefit society and businesses alike.
"Through these initiatives, we aim to contribute to bringing about a brighter and more sustainable future for Malaysia where businesses, communities and the environment are all able to prosper," he said.
Sime Darby contributes RM20 million a year to YSD as the foundation has committed RM1.2 million over three years from February 2020 to January 2023 for the mangrove conservation project.
YSD also spent RM8.11 million across 11 years from January 2012 to December 2022 for MEME; RM1.52 million for three years from September 2017 to December 2020 for the anti-poaching efforts in Perak with plans to continue supporting the initiative for another three years.
Additionally, YSD allocated RM2 million from January 2019 to December 2021 for the SDPAT project at Kamuning Estate, on top of the RM13 million funding for previous phases of this project.
"Sime Darby's contribution goes into YSD's pool fund which is utilised for all YSD projects, including the mangrove conservation and the CFS projects," he said.
Sime Darby is also active in various projects organised by YSD namely its volunteer programme, Huluran Kasih, with about 103 employees signed up for 19 initiatives.
"I personally have seen the good work that YSD does for MEME, Anti-Poaching Efforts in Royal Belum State Park and Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre," Jeffri said.
YSD chief executive officer Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin said most projects had multi-pronged benefits for both the environment and communities.
"Through the projects with MEME and Perak State Parks Corporation (PSPC), we have been protecting and will continue to protect the unique biodiversity and wildlife habitats along the CFS, one of the most important natural landscapes in Malaysia," she said.
Through the SDPAT project, YSD is focused towards establishing "Stepping Stones" that provides landscape connectivity, refuge and resources to assist wildlife such as birds, insects and small mammals.
Meanwhile, through the mangrove conservation project in Perak, YSD will strengthen the sustainable management of mangrove and coastal resources.
Yatela said YSD projects would also create a positive socioeconomic and capacity-building impact by engaging local communities.