Pulau Tioman, 19 May 2023 – Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) today hosted media and volunteers as part of the Cintai Tioman campaign aimed at encouraging and sustaining the ecological and social resilience on Pulau Tioman, a popular tourist destination located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Together with YSD’s partners Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) and Juara Turtle Project (JTP), the foundation welcomed 31 volunteers from Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, Sime Darby Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad under the YSD Eco Citizen programme to further strengthen the collective action towards conservation, preservation, and protection of Tioman’s natural heritage. The employee volunteers participated in island and beach clean-ups, coral planting, cleaning, as well as preparation of coral blocks and recycling bins. The dedication of the Sime Darby employee volunteers combined with this campaign underscores YSD’s commitment to protecting and preserving the environment for future generations.

Collectively, all parties are working together to ensure sustainable development, while avoiding overdevelopment and ensuring the conservation of Tioman’s marine ecosystems. With the ongoing public discourse over the intentions to degazette Pulau Tioman, protecting this island and its wondrous treasures is incredibly important to YSD specifically, as more than RM2 million has been invested in the island’s conservation work over the past decade.

Together with RCM, the Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG) was established and is made up of a group of local islanders who are passionate about ocean and island conservation. The TMCG are the first responders for marine-related issues and emergencies. Since its formation, more than 20 metric tonnes of recyclables have been collected, and over 350 local islanders have benefitted from environmental awareness programmes. Additionally, RCM has replanted 120 coral fragments, and replaced 164 missing or dead coral fragments on coral blocks.

On top of this, through YSD’s support for JTP to improve the chances of the vulnerable species survival, a total of 64 turtle nests with over 6,000 eggs have been relocated to the hatchery, with more than 4,000 sea turtle hatchlings being released into the ocean.

Speaking at the launch event, YSD’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin said, “As a foundation committed to promoting sustainable development, YSD recognises the importance of preserving our natural heritage, especially one as treasured as Pulau Tioman. We are proud to support RCM, TMCG, and JTP, especially as Tioman is on its way to be getting certified and recognised as one of Malaysia’s first on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. YSD hopes that everyone will come to realise the importance of this precious island and join hands with us to protect Tioman.”

“In addition to the current work we are doing on Pulau Tioman, the Cintai Tioman campaign we are leading is a crucial step forward in creating a sustainable future for the island’s ecosystems and its local community. We are grateful for the resources to support our cause here, and I urge all stakeholders to join us in this cause,” said Alvin Chelliah, RCM’s Senior Programme Manager and Marine Biologist.

With continued support from relevant stakeholders, Pulau Tioman can become a model for sustainable tourism practices, preserving its natural heritage, while creating new opportunities for the local community.