by AUFA MARDHIAH / pic courtesy of Gas Malaysia

GAS Malaysia Bhd is working on an environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme with the Gibbon Conservation Society (GCS) and Orang Asli community in Raub, Pahang.

Established in 2020, GCS (formerly known as the Gibbon Protection Society Malaysia) is a Malaysian NGO with the primary goal of rescuing traumatised gibbons from the illicit pet trade and doing rehabilitation efforts.

To date, GCS is rehabilitating 10 gibbons at the rehabilitation facility.

At a recent handover ceremony, Gas Malaysia gave GCS two pick-up trucks, which will be used largely to acquire food for the sheltered gibbons, transport rescued gibbons and store building and maintenance equipment.

Furthermore, approximately 40 Gas Malaysia personnel volunteered to plant a variety of fruit trees at the rehabilitation facility and participate in the river cleaning exercise.

In addition, Gas Malaysia has also donated household groceries to approximately 20 Orang Asli families that live nearby the rehabilitation facility.

The ceremony was led by Gas Malaysia group CEO Ahmad Hashimi Abdul Manap, who said the group’s corporate ambitions and CSR efforts are interdependent for its business to remain sustainable in the long run.

“Our interactions with the social system with a particular focus on reaching out to the surrounding communities aligns with our CSR pillars, namely education, environment, community and sports.

“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, it is only fitting that we celebrate this milestone by engaging in environmental conservation efforts and uplifting the communities around us.

“This CSR activity has also provided Gas Malaysia with a great opportunity to engage with employees from different working levels to unite and work collectively towards a meaningful objective,” he said in a recent statement.

Ahmad Hashimi also highlighted that the group has mobilised its personnel to assist in river cleaning operations, as well as fruit tree planting, which will benefit the wildlife living nearby.

“As long as there are attempts to support noble efforts undertaken by NGOs such as GCS in saving the endangered species, there is hope.

“We remain encouraged that with Gas Malaysia’s modest yet meaningful contribution, it will help ease the burden of the rehabilitators,” he concluded.