Shell Malaysia Contributions To Sustainable Development Projects In Sabah And Sarawak Increases 18% For 2017
Aug 01, 2017
The Shell Sustainable Development (SD) Grants Program serves as a catalyst to elevate sustainable development projects undertaken by NGOs and special interest groups. Grants are awarded to specific projects based on practicality, its direct benefits to the community, sustainability and longevity of the project, and financial requirements of each project.
KOTA KINABALU, 1 August 2017 – Shell Malaysia today awarded financial grants to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who will undertake six special projects that will benefit Sabahan and Sarawakian communities.
Yang Berhormat Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, and Minister for Industrial Development was in attendance at a special exhibition at the Kivatu Nature Farm in Penampang to learn more about these projects where each receiving organisation showcased their initiatives and the benefits to the communities that they serve. The event was hosted by Sabah Shell Petroleum Company on behalf of Shell Companies in Malaysia.
The Shell Sustainable Development (SD) Grants Program serves as a catalyst to elevate sustainable development projects undertaken by NGOs and special interest groups. Grants are awarded to specific projects based on practicality, its direct benefits to the community, sustainability and longevity of the project, and financial requirements of each project.
“In Sabah, our relationship with the State goes beyond commercial benefits. In addition to SD Grants, Shell plays an active role in developing local community skills and enterprise development through our other partnerships and social investment activities. Shell builds on our legacy and long-standing partnerships to achieve more together for environmental conservation, sustainable livelihood and traditions, and empowering the next generation of Malaysians,” said Ian Lim, General Manager of Sabah Shell Petroleum Company.
Since its introduction in 2008, the SD Grants have been awarded to 90 different projects across the nation. In 2017, Shell Malaysia’s contribution to sustainable development projects increased by 18% compared to last year’s grant award.
This year’s recipients are LEAP Spiral, Binturong Alam Ventures, PACOS Trust, Light Up Borneo, UniMAS, and Rumah Gareh for projects that improve the livelihoods of fishermen in the wetlands and coastlines, contribute to biodiversity study, enables access to energy, and promotes sustainable farming and economic empowerment.
“We recognise that Sabah today is where it is because of the work done by its people. This demonstrates to me that we have the capacity to achieve great things. It is through partnerships like this that lasting positive impact can be enjoyed by Sabahans and I am grateful that companies like Shell Malaysia continue to support communities wherever they operate,” said Yang Berhormat Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, and Minister for Industrial Development
Note to editor:
- Shell plays an active role through the Shell SD Grants program, beyond just being a financial partner for these projects.
- Shell Malaysia works together with selected NGOs or Community Based Organisations (CBOs) to refine their respective projects using a Logic Framework as per Shell’s internal standards on social investments.
- Shell co-develops and further refines the proposed project in partnership with NGOs and CBOs to bring the most value to the benefitting communities.
- This not only equips organisations to deliver more sustainable projects but allows them to independently continue their efforts in the future.
- Shell also looks for opportunities for our own staff to volunteer and be ambassadors for activities with our partner organisations. This year alone almost 100 Shell staff have volunteered their time and effort into supporting our partner organisations.
YB Datuk Raymond Tan giving a speech at the Shell Sustainable Development Grants showcase
Anne Lasimbang of PACOS Trust talking to YB Datuk Raymond Tan as Ian Lim, GM of Sabah Shell Petroleum Company looks on
Ong Boon Keong of Light Up Borneo explaining the organisation’s initiative to YB Datuk Raymond Tan and Ian Lim
YB Datuk Raymond Tan and Ian Lim listening to Dr Aazani from UniMas on reef study
Group picture of Shell SD Grant recipients together with YB Datuk Raymond Tan, Ian Lim, Tuan ASP Safri bin Anuar Jamin
Shell SD Grants 2017 recipients (Sabah):
| Area | Organisation | Project Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands, Sandakan | LEAP Spiral | Community Based Sustainable Fisheries – LEAP will implement their pilot on a community-based ecologically sustainable fisheries in the lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands to encourage the fishermen in the area to rely on fisheries instead of fishing. This project will also include a commercial aspect to help the fishermen market their wares at an appropriate price and relevant markets. |
| Papar & Kota Belud, West Coast | Binturong Alam Ventures | Fisherman Engagement Program – Binturong Alam Ventures will implement a structured engagement program in partnership with the Marine Police, PDRM, and Department of Fisheries to educate and raise the awareness on the pitfalls of fishing close to our offshore platforms to the communities around Papar & Kota Belud. This project will also be coupled with educational programs to encourage the communities to consider alternative sources of livelihood. |
| Penampang, West Coast | PACOS Trust | Community Demonstration Sites – This will benefit communities in the interiors of Sabah to practice environmentally practice of subsistence farming. This project will also include a commercial aspect to help the subsistence farmers market their wares at an appropriate price and relevant markets. |
Shell SD Grants 2017 recipients (Sarawak):
| Area | Organisation | Project Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Ba’Kelalan, Limbang |
Light Up Borneo |
Ba’Kelalan Electrification – The village of Kg Komak in Ba Kelalan features 15 households who do not have running electricity. This project will provide a micro-hydroelectric solution to grid the village based on infrastructure already available from an earlier intervention.. |
| Baram-8 Reef, Miri |
UniMAS |
Baram-8 Artificial Reef Biodiversity Study – UNIMAS is tasked with conducting the baseline research surrounding the Baram-8 platform that serves as an artificial reef off the coast of Miri waters. With data from this baseline study it will be more convincing to other oil and gas operators in the region to convert their disused platforms to artificial reefs to protect the marine biodiversity of Sarawak's waters. |
| Rumah Gareh, Kapit |
Rumah Gareh |
Pua Kumbu Community Project – To setup a community center for ‘pua kumbu’ weavers to work as a community as opposed to individually as per tradition. The division of labor allows for more efficient production of the cloth and a better means of training the youths in the art of hand weaving the ‘pua kumbu’. Through this community center, the weavers stand to earn a more sustainable source of income due to improved processes and sharing of knowledge with the village youths. |
For further Media Enquiries, please contact:
Eevon Chung
Head of Media Relations & Issues Management, Shell Malaysia
Email: eevon.chung@shell.com
About Shell – www.shell.com.my
Shell is a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology and is working to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, infrastructure, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment. Malaysia is one of Shell’s heartlands. The history of Royal Dutch Shell in Malaysia started more than 125 years. Shell currently has a strong market presence in the upstream and downstream sector in Malaysia.