Assalamualaikum and good morning, 

1. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you today to this meaningful gathering in Malaysia’s conservation calendar. As we mark the nation’s second National Hornbill Day, we celebrate the hornbill not only as an iconic avian species, but as a vital contributor to forest health — they are after all known as the “Farmers of the Forest”! 
2. On behalf of Yayasan Sime Darby, I extend our sincere appreciation to Universiti Malaysia Sabah for hosting and supporting this meaningful occasion — the YSD National Hornbill Day 2025. Thank you to Sabah Wildlife Department and Tuan Soffian for always supporting our conservation work in Sabah. We also thank our Explore Gaia Enterprise (GAIA), for their continued collaboration and tireless efforts in hornbill conservation. And of course SD Guthrie Berhad for not only donating funds to us every year to assist the important causes we support, but also extend manpower resources on the ground and walk the talk! 
3. We celebrated our nation’s inaugural National Hornbill Day in 2024 through a joint initiative by YSD, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), and GAIA — to raise awareness and inspire action for the protection of Malaysia’s precious hornbills, recognised not only for their beauty but for their ecological importance. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

4. YSD’s collaboration with GAIA began in 2021, investing RM2.98 million across multiple phases, which includes matching grant support from the Ministry of Finance under the Belanjawan MADANI initiative. Alhamdulillah, with our funding, GAIA had worked hard to achieve conservation milestones that position Malaysia as a global leader in hornbill preservation.  
5. Notably, we successfully bred the Rhinoceros Hornbill in artificial nest boxes — a world first — and restored 21 natural tree cavities while installing 15 artificial ones across Sabah, Langkawi, and Perak. We developed Malaysia’s first SOPs for artificial nest boxes and a Hornbill Management Plan for oil palm plantations, propagated over 500 hornbill-preferred food plants in SD Guthrie estates, and trained estate staff, researchers, and villagers in monitoring and restoration. Our outreach has engaged over 1,000 students and produced scientific publications and documentaries to raise public awareness and inspire future conservation efforts. The next milestone is the Sabah Hornbill Conservation State Action Plan which we hope will be finalised and launched really soon, for impactful on-ground implementation! 
6. Beyond hornbills, YSD’s environmental efforts extend across Malaysia, with over RM96 million invested in 19 projects in Sabah alone since 2010. These include forest restoration, species protection, education, and anti-poaching — all part of a broader RM221 million commitment to conservation nationwide, supporting the development, launch and implementation of the Sabah State Action Plans for endangered species like the Proboscis Monkey, Banteng, and Clouded Leopard. Of course, our most successful collaboration was with Sabah Wildlife Department and Danau Girang Centre, to implement the state action plans with the set up and running of the “Rapid Response Teams: Sabah Wildlife Department Targeted Reaction to Wildlife Crimes”. 
7. Sabah Wildlife Department has also been a key partner in hornbill conservation in Sabah, working with GAIA and HUTAN–KOCP to install artificial nest boxes. Their field expertise ensures our strategies lead to real, on-the-ground protection. Thank you for your continued support, Tuan Soffian and team!
8. Today’s event is a celebration of Malaysia’s iconic hornbills and the powerful partnerships that protect them. It brings together government agencies, academia, the corporate sector, and NGOs to strengthen collaboration in conservation efforts. We also proudly recognise and empower 30 Hornbill Ambassadors from UMS and SD Guthrie — the next generation of conservation champions.  
9. In addition, we are launching 2 important publications under the YSD–GAIA partnership: the Fig Propagation and Caring Manual for Hornbill Management in Oil Palm Plantations and the Artificial Hornbill Nest Construction Guide, both of which mark significant strides in our shared mission to safeguard hornbills and their habitats. These resources consolidate field experience into practical tools for conservationists and plantation managers, enabling consistent, safe practices that benefit hornbills and local biodiversity. 
10. On 12th November, we shall proudly launch YSD Eco Citizen – Program Kawan Enggang 2.0, a YSD-led volunteering initiative that extends the spirit of National Hornbill Day into schools and communities. Led by our Hornbill Ambassadors, the programme will engage students and teachers at SK Ladang Sapong, Tenom, through ecology education infused with artistic expression — reflecting YSD’s belief that science and the arts must go hand in hand to spark innovation. This initiative underscores our commitment to inclusive, community-rooted conservation, reminding us that National Hornbill Day is not an endpoint, but a catalyst for ongoing action. Together, we can ensure Malaysia’s hornbills — symbols of strength, heritage, and ecological balance — continue to thrive in the forests they call home. 

Ladies and gentlemen,  

11. As we reflect on the progress made and the partnerships that have brought us here, let us leave today not only with knowledge but with renewed purpose. Let us carry forward the inspiration we’ve gained — as voices that advocate, hands that build, and hearts that care deeply for our hornbills and the forests they inhabit. 
12. To our partners, ambassadors, and every individual present — your dedication is the foundation of this movement. Together, we can ensure that the majestic call of the hornbill continues to echo through Malaysia’s rainforests, inspiring generations to come. 

Thank you.