As part of RM9.5 million in marine conservation initiatives led by YSD since 2014 and supported by the Government since 2021, this newly launched website enhances public access to data, citizen science tools, and responsible tourism resources for Malaysia’s marine parks.

Kuala Terengganu, 21 June 2025 – Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) and Fuze Ecoteer today launched the Marine Parks of Malaysia website at the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) Rantau Abang, in conjunction with World Oceans Day and World Environment Day 2025. The country’s first digital platform improves public access to conservation data, responsible tourism guides, and citizen science tools for marine parks across the country. 

The event was attended by Dato' Jeffri Salim Davidson, Governing Council Member of YSD and Group CEO of Sime Darby Berhad, Dato’ Haji Adnan Hussain, Director General of Fisheries Malaysia; Dr Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin, Chief Executive Officer of YSD; and Tuan Sharum Yusof, Director of FRI Rantau Abang. The launch also marks the continued expansion of YSD’s marine partnerships with Fuze Ecoteer and PULIHARA, co-funded through Belanjawan MADANI 2025 to strengthen community engagement and environmental education across Malaysia.

Since 2014, YSD has committed more than RM9.5 million towards marine conservation across Malaysia, with support from the Government commencing in 2021. These initiatives include the conservation of coral reefs, marine megafauna, marine mammals, turtles, and seagrass ecosystems — alongside research and grassroots engagement with coastal communities. 

As a key contributor to marine conservation in the country, YSD is expected to be appointed as a strategic partner to DOF, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise the ongoing collaboration in the near future. 

Through strategic partnerships, YSD’s marine investments have delivered impactful and sustainable outcomes:

• In Sabah, Marine Research Foundation has protected over 7,000 sea turtle nests—preventing an estimated 700,000 hatchlings from being poached—and worked with 400 fishers on bycatch mitigation.
• In Tioman, Reef Check Malaysia has supported marine park governance planning via a draft management plan, an IUCN Green List-aligned structure, and stakeholder consultations across all seven villages. They also trained 26 local conservationists in reef co-management.
• MareCet’s dolphin and whale research in Langkawi has recorded over 470 sightings since 2021 and continues to inform regional conservation priorities.
• In Perhentian, Fuze Ecoteer has protected more than 4,000 turtle nests and engaged over 20,000 students and tourists through 500 awareness programmes.
• In Lang Tengah, PULIHARA has released 43,000 hatchlings and planted nearly 1,000 coral fragments, and reached over 3,000 individuals through outreach. Data from these efforts feeds into national conservation strategies and global IUCN assessments.

A key highlight was the launch of the Marine Parks of Malaysia website, developed by Fuze Ecoteer and supported by YSD, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia. Designed to promote green and sustainable practices in marine parks and tourism, the platform offers access to zoning maps, ethical tourism listings (including Green Fins-certified dive centres and eco-accommodations), turtle photo identification tools, snorkelling and diving guidelines, and a public reporting channel for marine sightings, ghost nets, or stranded wildlife. 

“This platform reflects a growing recognition that conservation is no longer the work of one agency alone. Accessible to the public, the Marine Parks of Malaysia website enables government, citizens, and conservation partners to work more transparently and collaboratively in managing our marine parks. It marks an important step in building a more inclusive and informed approach to marine governance,” said Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Director General of DOF Malaysia. 

“We built this website with the goal of closing the gap between information and action. From zoning maps to turtle sightings, the tools on this site are meant to empower local communities, tourists, students, and decision-makers to participate meaningfully in marine protection. Conservation becomes stronger when everyone has access to the data, not just the experts,” added Daniel Quilter, General Manager of Fuze Ecoteer. 

In conjunction with the launch, 30 volunteers from Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad, and Sime Darby Property Berhad joined the YSD Eco Citizen Marine Volunteering Programme at Perhentian Island. The programme, coordinated by Fuze Ecoteer, included underwater and beach clean-ups, a waste audit, and a marine conservation workshop. Volunteers also engaged with local community members to understand grassroots conservation in action. Several participants were past recipients of the YSD Volunteer Awards, reflecting YSD’s long-standing commitment to nurturing changemakers within and beyond its donor companies.

Since 2023, the YSD Eco Citizen programme has engaged 1,313 volunteers across 15 environmental activities, contributing over 18,000 volunteer hours nationwide. 

“At YSD, we believe that protecting nature goes beyond committing funds — it means investing in people who embody those values in their daily work and decisions,” said Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson, Governing Council Member of YSD and Group CEO of Sime. “Real change happens when communities, researchers, policymakers, and businesses move beyond silo efforts and start working in step. From inland forests to coastal reefs and the depths of our oceans, sustainability must be lived.” 

Recognising that what happens inland ultimately affects the sea, YSD’s environmental approach is built on ecosystem connectivity. In Perak, Johor, Selangor, and Kedah, YSD has supported the planting of over 38,000 mangrove trees across 19 hectares with the Global Environment Centre, strengthening the institutional capacity of community groups for sustainable coastal management. Further inland, syntropic farming initiatives with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia support regenerative agriculture and rural resilience, while efforts such as surplus food rescue with The Lost Food Project address food security and reduce waste at city level.

The Marine Parks of Malaysia is now live at www.marineparksofmalaysia.com. YSD and Fuze Ecoteer invite all Malaysians and international travellers to explore the platform, discover what is at stake, and take part in protecting our shared marine heritage.