Yayasan PETRONAS' One Million Trees Programme Receives Regional Recognition
Released on: Thursday, 01 Oct 2026 11:56AM
(From left) Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity; Husni Alhan Md Salimun, Principal Assistant Secretary of the Biodiversity Management Section, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Malaysia; Dr Al O. Orolfo, Director of the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Philippines and Hajah Shariah Nelly Francis, Chief Executive Officer, Yayasan PETRONAS at the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI) Recognition Ceremony in Quezon City, Philippines.
QUEZON CITY, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Yayasan PETRONAS’ One Million Trees Programme (OMT) has been recognised by the ASEAN Green Initiative under the large-scale planting category, acknowledging its contributions to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience efforts in Malaysia.
Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan PETRONAS, Hajah Shariah Nelly Francis said, “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.”
As of August 2026, the OMT programme, which sits under the Foundation’s 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 programme’s restoration efforts span a range of ecosystems, including mangrove forests, inland forests and urban green spaces, across the Sungai Santi Forest Reserve in Johor, Kungkular Forest Reserve in Sabah, Kuala Sepetang in Perak and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) in Perak.
“The OMT programme is designed to nurture self-sustaining ecosystems supported by strong community ownership and continuous stewardship, with local communities equipped to contribute beyond planting through seedling preparation, nursery care, site maintenance, monitoring and conservation awareness,” Shariah added.
Through OMT, the Foundation has worked with government agencies, local communities and strategic partners to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, support biodiversity conservation 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 the rehabilitation of mangroves 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.
Through OMT, the Foundation has worked with government agencies, local communities and strategic partners to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, support biodiversity conservation 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 the rehabilitation of mangroves 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 forms part of YP’s 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 programme focuses on restoring degraded ecosystems and strengthening their long-term resilience while creating positive outcomes for local communities.
Issued by:
Yayasan PETRONAS
SOURCE: Yayasan PETRONAS
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