Petaling Jaya, 23 September 2025 – In the true spirit of Malaysia Day, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad, paid heartfelt tribute to its employee volunteers —everyday heroes who have collectively contributed over 69,000 hours of service through YSD Huluran Kasih and YSD Eco Citizen since 2018. The Volunteer Awards Ceremony (VAC) 2025 was graced by YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini binti Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development.  

Themed Volunteer for #ABetterMalaysia, VAC 2025 celebrated measurable community and environmental impact across YSD’s five pillars and the role of trained volunteers in strengthening resilience. YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini presented 11 YSD volunteer awards in various categories and the Best Project Partner in volunteering award to klpac, in the presence of over 200 employee volunteers. VAC 2025 also honoured outstanding volunteering teams with grants totalling RM45,000, and presented certificates to speakers and trained volunteers in disaster preparedness, as well as Sekolah Angkat MADANI volunteer leads. 

This year’s celebration also featured a special recognition of YSD’s decade-long partner, the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) for its role in connecting employee and local community volunteers through the YSD Arts Festival (YSDAF), under YSD’s Arts & Culture pillar. In 2025, YSDAF ran a 10-venue tour across Peninsular Malaysia with seven Kampung Tour venues and three Urban Tour stops (KL East Mall, PARC Subang Jaya and Elmina Lakeside Mall) and mobilised 157 YSDAF volunteers in total. At the Kampung Tour stops, local community members stepped up as 75 Festival Ambassadors, alongside 82 employee volunteers from Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad. All Ambassadors received Disability Equality Training (DET) and Disability Related Services Training (DRST) to ensure accessible and inclusive festival experience for all.  

The event highlighted “YSD SiapSiaga”, strengthening YSD’s existing MoU and collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (JKM) to scale employee disaster preparedness and relief work knowledge and skills. Under this programme, JKM provides the training framework and certification, while the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), delivers hands-on modules and drills so volunteers can support authorities safely and in line with national SOPs during floods and other emergencies.  

The ceremony also highlighted employee volunteerism that is contributing in assisting 31 schools across Malaysia under the Sekolah Angkat MADANI YSD REACH programme. 
During her speech, YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini commended YSD for hosting the event and its Donor Companies for encouraging a strong volunteer culture and allowing employees time off to serve good causes. She said: “A recognition ceremony like this is important to honour employee volunteers who serve communities at the grassroots level while fulfilling their roles within their companies. I encourage more companies in the private sector to join forces with JKM’s volunteer network, enhancing national volunteerism efforts through strategic collaboration and shared resources in building a more resilient Malaysia,” she added. 

Meanwhile, YSD Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin, expressed her appreciation to all employee volunteers, senior management, government agencies, GDRN, and project partners for creating meaningful volunteering experiences rooted in unity and compassion. 

“At YSD, every volunteer is a catalyst for change. We are deeply inspired by the passion and generosity of those who share our mission—giving their time, heart, and expertise to uplift communities and save the environment. Together with like-minded partners, we’re expanding volunteering opportunities across all five YSD pillars, empowering more Malaysians to give back in ways that truly matter. Through our ongoing partnership with JKM, we look forward to growing a stronger, more compassionate volunteer network—ready to serve, support, and stand by the nation in times of need,” she said. 

Under YSD’s Education pillar, business leaders, employee volunteers, and scholars are brought together to drive meaningful change on the ground. From supporting 31 Sekolah Angkat MADANI with hands-on expertise and resources, to inspiring secondary school students in STEM through the Sime Darby Young Innovators Challenge, and empowering B40 TVET students and persons with disabilities through the YSD THRIVE programme—each initiative reflects YSD’s commitment to building a more inclusive, skilled, and socially responsible Malaysia. 

YSD Huluran Kasih has mobilised 9,264 volunteers contributing 64,765 hours across 560 initiatives—reaching and assisting close to 100,000  individuals nationwide. Employees work alongside community volunteers to support YSD-backed projects, including SIS Forum’s Telenisa legal aid, MIASA-YSD Crisis Helpline for mental health support, and Cancer Research Malaysia’s MeMoSA, which brings AI-powered oral screening to underserved Sarawak communities. Together, these efforts deliver vital services to more Malaysians in need. 

YSD Eco Citizen empowers employees with knowledge and hands-on experience in environmental conservation, under YSD’s Environment pillar. Since its launch, 786 volunteers have contributed 4,369 hours across 11 initiatives with seven partner organisations. Their efforts include beach clean-ups, tree planting, environmental education, food redistribution to B40 families, and wildlife conservation—demonstrating the impact of collective action for people and the planet.  

In YSD’s Sports pillar, the YSD Track Series engages Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) sports management students as volunteers, giving them practical experience in organising tournaments while building career readiness. 4

For more information or to get involved with YSD’s initiatives, visit YSD’s website.  
 
About Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) 
Yayasan Sime Darby or Sime Darby Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad, and Sime Darby Property Berhad. Established in 1982, the foundation revolves around five pillars which are Education, Environment, Community & Health, Sports, and Arts & Culture. Led by an independent Governing Council, the foundation is managed by a dedicated team who works closely with the three (3) YSD donor companies in areas of mutual interest. Since its inception, the foundation has expanded its wings from offering scholarships to outstanding and deserving individuals to funding impactful conservation, outreach and development programmes. For more information, visit www.yayasansimedarby.com

For media enquiries, please contact:  
Lea Ellisyhia, lea.ellisyhia@sime.com, +60173440202