QUEZON CITY — Yayasan PETRONAS’ One Million Trees Programme (OMT) has received regional recognition under the large-scale planting category of the ASEAN Green Initiative, in acknowledgement of its contributions to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in Malaysia.
Yayasan PETRONAS Chief Executive Officer Shariah Nelly Francis said the recognition reflected the collective efforts of its partners and communities in rehabilitating ecosystems and strengthening climate resilience.
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our partners and communities who share our commitment to rehabilitating ecosystems and strengthening climate resilience.
“Through OMT, we remain dedicated to contributing towards environmental and social impact for communities across Malaysia,” she said in a statement.
As of August 2026, OMT, which is part of Yayasan PETRONAS’ Planting Tomorrow Climate Resilience initiative, has engaged more than 190 community members and planted over 142,000 trees across four rehabilitation sites in Malaysia.
The restoration efforts cover mangrove forests, inland forests and urban green spaces at the Sungai Santi Forest Reserve in Johor, Kungkular Forest Reserve in Sabah, Kuala Sepetang in Perak and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) in Perak.
Shariah said OMT was designed to foster self-sustaining ecosystems through community ownership and continuous stewardship, with local communities involved in activities beyond tree planting, including seedling preparation, nursery care, site maintenance, monitoring and conservation awareness.
Through the programme, Yayasan PETRONAS works with government agencies, local communities and strategic partners to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, conserve biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of communities facing climate-related challenges.
Its partners include the Sabah Forestry Department for the rehabilitation of the Kungkular Forest Reserve in Tenom; Universiti Malaya for mangrove rehabilitation in Kuala Sepetang, Perak; UTP for urban greening efforts in Perak; and local non-governmental organisations such as Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pulau Tanjung Surat, which is involved in the rehabilitation of the Sungai Santi Forest Reserve in Johor.
OMT is part of the Planting Tomorrow Climate Resilience initiative, which aims to strengthen climate resilience through ecosystem rehabilitation, adaptive communities and climate literacy.
Guided by a science-based, site-led and community-supported approach, the initiative focuses on restoring degraded ecosystems, enhancing their long-term resilience and creating positive outcomes for local communities. —Bernama
