Daily Express (Malaysia): Shell’s assurance on environmental care
Posted 18 June 04
Kota Kinabalu: Shell Malaysia will continue to work closely with the local communities on environmental care, assured its General Manager for Corporate Affairs Lt. Col (Rtd) Wahiruddin Abdul Wahid.
“Shell Malaysia continually explores opportunities to work with like-minded organisations in pursuit of sustainable development programmes such as this, which aim to impress our younger generation the importance of environmental conservation,” he said.
He was speaking at the presentation of the company’s contribution of RM20,000 to fund the Anugerah Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar (SERASI) Sabah, a joint programme with the Department of Environment (DOE), Education Department, Environment Protection Department, Environmental Action Committee (EAC) and Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary (KKCBS), at the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry in Wisma Tun Fuad Stephen here on Friday.
He presented the cheque on behalf of the company to the Assistant Minister, Datuk Karim Bujang, who represented the Ministry, witnessed by the DOE Sabah Director Halimah Hassan, who is also the chairwoman of the programme, representatives from the other departments and KKCBS.
The environment friendly school award, which will be held for the second time to highlight this year’s State-level Malaysian Environment Week, primarily aims to promote greater environmental awareness and conservation among students in Sabah.
“We also hope that these awards will further motivate schools, students and the community to enhance environmental conservation and awareness,” said Wahiruddin.
Apart from environmental education and protection, Shell Malaysia also builds on other social development programmes that promote capacity building, entrepreneurial skills, technical training and improved welfare of the less fortunate in the community, he added. The SERASI programme is also aimed at giving recognition to the efforts made by schools in their environment programmes.
The competition, divided into two categories - Secondary School and Primary School - is open to all schools in Sabah and they will be judged on various factors, such as programmes or activities that promote environmental awareness and demonstrating a commitment to “green” practices, with bonus points for public involvement.
The winners will receive prizes in the form of cash and certificates at a presentation ceremony to be held early next year. Those seeking further information can contact the secretariat at 088-250122/250123 or fax to 088-241170.
Shell Malaysia has sponsored environmental awareness programmes for undergraduates of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) at Danum Valley, near Lahad Datu as well as the recent seminar on Organic waste: Challenges and Opportunities, at UMS.
The company, which has extensive operations offshore Sabah and also an active participant in environmental conservation programmes, recently announced it will contribute RM250,000 towards the enhancement of the Danum Valley Conservation Area Management Plan, with a focus on the conservation of three key wildlife species - Orang Utan, Borneo Pygmy Elephant and Sumatran Rhino.
Danum Valley’s newly-opened Nature Interpretation and Environmental Education Centre, built at a cost of RM461,000, was also funded by Shell Malaysia.