Malaysia and Rare Conservation projects

YTL Corporation continues its efforts in environmental protection by funding a substantial amount to two conservation groups who have shown success in their conservation work both globally and locally.



Tan Sri (Dr.) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director and Ruth Yeoh, Director of Investments of YTL Corporation Berhad together with Dato Yeoh Soo Min presented the grants worth USD 100, 000 each to WWF-Malaysia and Rare in support of their local conservation projects.



The event saw heads of the NGOs, Dr. Dionysius Sharma, Executive Director/CEO of WWF-Malaysia and Nigel Sizer, Rare’s Vice President for Asia Pacific share their vision and mission and how they would utilise the grants.



WWF-Malaysia will strengthen its tiger conservation efforts, with its “Save our Tigers! Save our Crest! Save our Lungs!” campaign specifically to resolve the human-tiger conflict in Jeli District, Kelantan. Tigers have long been a symbol of pride and strength as portrayed in the Malaysian crest but these creatures are sadly vanishing with only a mere 500 left in Malaysia. Rapid development and unsustainable logging have caused tigers and humans to involuntarily come into contact with each other, causing conflict, which more than often results in one party’s fatal end. WWF-Malaysia plans to harness expertise to conduct awareness-raising programmes for local communities, as well as educate them on conserving the tiger habitat and adopt better management practices in their farming activities.



Rare, a leading global conservation group based in the U.S; also launched Rare Pride in Malaysia at the ceremony today. Rare focuses on training local partners to conduct unique social marketing campaigns that work with local communities, motivating them to conserve biodiversity. As this is Rare’s first venture into Malaysia, they have committed to matching YTL’s grant 2:1 with an additional USD 200,000 that will enable them to establish three projects in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, respectively.



YTL Corp has played a big role in advocating environment protection, which started with their Climate Change Week programme. Their efforts still continue today as they take up the corporate social responsibility of a ‘green’ lifestyle in all YTL owned companies and work towards sustainable development.



“ I have always felt that we (YTL) have a personal responsibility to get involved because as business leaders, we have an ethical obligation to be part of the solution, especially in the great opportunity God has given us to use our positions, influence and connections to affect changes at a higher level, such as in policy decisions and enabling important conservation efforts within and beyond our borders,” said Tan Sri (Dr.) Francis Yeoh.



Ruth Yeoh, YTL’s ambassador for Climate Change said that she had been groomed from young to appreciate the environment and appreciate nature around her. Her passion for the environment has led her to co-author the book entitled “Cut Carbon, Grow Profits” which was launched earlier this year.



“YTL has been practicing conservation for a very long time but we are now moving more swiftly into sustainability projects to not only adapt but to educate on the benefits of conservation in the impending low carbon economy,” said Ruth in her speech.



The cry for preservation of the environment has been ongoing for many years and as we move towards a new era in development we should follow the lead of these exemplary organisations in spreading awareness and inspiring action in our fight against global warming.