Kuala Lumpur, 12 May 2016 - Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) in collaboration with its beneficiaries will hold its first Environment Day celebration at the University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) in Kota Kinabalu on 20 May 2016.

Themed “Go Wild for Life”, echoing the theme of this year’s World Environment Day which falls on 5 June, the event hosted by UCSF, is to raise awareness on the environment and the need for conservation among the public especially the younger generation.

Open to the public, the day-long event will include the participation of schoolchildren and college students with exciting activities lined up throughout the day including environment documentary screenings, games and exhibitions, lucky draws and environment awareness workshops with YSD’s partners namely the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Borneo Rhino Alliance, Management & Ecology of Malaysian Elephant, Danau Girang Field Centre, South East Asia Rainforest Research Programme (SEARRP), Nestle Malaysia, Sabah Forestry Department, Global Environment Centre with Sahabat Hutan Gambut Selangor Utara, Reef Check Malaysia and the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Programme.

YSD through its Environment pillar has been robust in its environmental conservation initiatives since 2009 with a total commitment of RM129 million to date, of which RM81 million has been channelled for projects in the state of Sabah. YSD’s assistance covers the protection and preservation of vulnerable and endangered wildlife species under its “Big 9” programme consisting of the Malayan Sun Bear, Orangutan, Sunda Clouded Leopard, Asian Elephants, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan Tiger, Proboscis Monkey, Bornean Banteng and Hornbill. Other areas of support include environmental research and postgraduate scholarships, reforestation and replanting initiatives as well as seascape conservation and community empowerment.

YSD Governing Council Member, Ms Caroline Christine Russell said, “On behalf of YSD, we are excited to host our very own Environment Day. The Foundation has been vigorous in its environmental conservation initiatives since 2009 especially in Sabah and some parts of the Peninsular. Through this event, we wish to share the outcome of these impactful conservation projects funded by YSD.”

“Almost all YSD’s beneficiaries from the Environment pillar will be in Sabah to give awareness talks and conduct environment related activities to reach out and engage the young children and youths on the importance of protecting the ecosystem for future generations. In line with this year’s theme, the event will drive the message to stop illegal wildlife trafficking and to inculcate a sense of responsibility through continuous education.”

UCSF will also launch its “Protect the Pangolin” campaign during the event. The university’s Vice Chancellor YBhg. Prof. Datuk Dr Mohamed Ghazali Ismail said, “We are proud to be able to share this platform with YSD to spread more awareness on the dwindling number of Pangolins in the wild in Malaysia. Pangolins are the most illegally traded wildlife species in the country and yet have not been acknowledged as a critically endangered species.

“It is often misunderstood that Pangolins scales and meat offer “magical medicinal values”. Research has shown that their scales contain the same protein as human hair and fingernails. These superstitious beliefs must end and I truly hope through the launch of our “Protect the Pangolin Campaign” at this coming event, there will be increased awareness to protect the species from being totally wiped out,” Ghazali added.

The event will be held from 9 am to 5.30 pm and entrance is free. Subsidised meals will also be provided to college and university students.