YOUTH CHAMPIONS UNITE FOR A GREENER FUTURE AT ALAM BE-LEAF PROGRAMME IN HUTAN SIMPAN MERBOK, KEDAH

Kedah, 13 July 2024 - Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM), a foundation established by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) to spearhead environmental sustainability initiatives, is delighted to announce the successful execution of the second ALAM Be-Leaf programme at Hutan Simpan Merbok, Kedah. This initiative empowers youth champions for the environment through tree planting exercises across Malaysia, providing a platform for participants to practice and instil sustainable behaviours.

Hutan Simpan Merbok, Kedah, was chosen for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance. The Merbok River area is part of the Jerai Geopark and home to various mangrove species, providing a vital habitat for marine and bird life. Participants embarked on a boat ride to the replanting site, explored the mangrove area, and engaged in mangrove tree replanting. The event concluded with a community gotong-royong to clean the equipment, fostering environmental stewardship and community cooperation.

"The ALAM Be-Leaf programme is not just about planting trees; it's about planting the seeds of change within our youth and communities," said Sainursalwa Sani, Chief Human Resource Officer of Bank Pembangunan, overseeing ALAM. "We are committed to empowering the next generation to be proactive in addressing environmental and sustainability issues. This programme exemplifies our dedication to fostering behavioural change and practical action among our participants."

The event saw the participation of 120 volunteers from various organizations, including Bank Pembangunan, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Kedah State Forestry Department, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Department of Youth and Sports, Kedah State Department of Youth and Sports, and Sukarelawan Anak Malaysia (SATRIA). Kelab Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Puncak, a local organization focusing on environmental conservation, coordinated the event and will continue to monitor the mangrove plants post-programme.

Dato' Hj. Zahari bin Ibrahim, Deputy Director-General of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia (Policy & Planning), commented, "The National Biodiversity Policy (2016-2025) highlights the importance of conserving biodiversity, sustainable resource use, and equitable benefit-sharing. Our collaboration today reflects these principles."

The programme is aligned with the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) and the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It also supports the national campaign to replant 100 million trees and enhance Malaysia's green landscape.

ALAM plans to expand the Be-Leaf programme to other states in Malaysia throughout 2024, promoting the involvement of youths and local communities in environmental sustainability and reinforcing our commitment to delivering impact capital for national development. The next locations will be Setiu, Terengganu, and Tanjung Piai, Johor, each chosen for their unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

ABOUT BANK PEMBANGUNAN MALAYSIA BERHAD

Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad was incorporated on 28 November 1973 as a development financial institution. This year Bank Pembangunan celebrates its 50th anniversary of delivering impact capital for national development.

Owned by Minister of Finance (Incorporated), Bank Pembangunan has been accorded the highest rating of ‘AAA’ by both RAM Rating Services Berhad and Malaysia Rating Corporation Berhad. It is -regulated and supervised by Bank Negara Malaysia under the Development Financial Institution Act 2002.

With a Group Total Assets value of RM27.0 billion (as at 31 December 2022), the Bank Pembangunan is well positioned to meet the financing and business development needs of Malaysian businesses.

ABOUT AMANAH LESTARI ALAM (ALAM)

Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM) is a national initiative mooted by the Ministry of Finance Malaysia and spearheaded by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, with a vision to transform Malaysians’ mindset and behaviours on the environment. Derived from the 12th Malaysia Plan, ALAM aims to create awareness, educate, and instil whistleblowing culture by collaborating with communities, public and private sectors. ALAM also advocates policy for improved governance and bridging the policymakers with stakeholders. ALAM targets three specific segments, i.e. Primary school students, Youths and Adults – aimed at helping to address the relationship Malaysians have with the country’s present natural capital and future generations. ALAM’s focus is centred on seven UN SDGs; SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnership for The Goals).