KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) organised a tree-planting programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pandan Jaya, here yesterday, planting 100 saplings of eight different species on the school grounds.
 
The tree-planting programme was sponsored by MTC as part of the Council’s CSR initiative in collaboration with the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM) and the school. The event was officiated by the Director-General of FDPM, Dato’ Haji Zahari Ibrahim, who also serves as a member of MTC’s Board of Trustees.
 
The CSR initiative supports the Green Malaysia Programme, which is part of the National 100 Million Tree-Planting campaign running from 2021 to 2025. To date, 95.9 million trees have been planted under the campaign aiming to raise public awareness of the importance of green cover, improve the ecosystem and boost biodiversity.
 
In his speech, Dato’ Haji Zahari emphasised that tree planting is not only about beautifying the environment, but also about maintaining ecological balance. “The trees planted today will thrive for hundreds of years, providing oxygen, cooling the atmosphere, and serving as habitats for various wildlife species. This effort will have a lasting impact on future generations,” he said.
 
Also present at the event were MTC CEO Madam Noraihan Abdul Rahman, members of MTC’s Board of Trustees, Deputy District Education Officer Mr. Mohd Fadli Abu Bakar and the Senior Assistant of Administration SK Pandan Jaya Tuan Haji Baharudin Yasir, along with officers from the FDPM. Headmasters from eight neighbouring schools were also invited to join the event.
 
In her welcoming remarks, MTC CEO Madam Noraihan Abdul Rahman highlighted that since the launch of MTC’s tree-planting project in January 2022, a total of 880 saplings have been planted at various locations, including mangrove areas, schools, and parks across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Melaka.
 
“We are proud to contribute to this important cause and are thrilled to join forces with FDPM and the students of SK Pandan Jaya to contribute to the national 100-Million-Tree-Planting programme. The enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by everyone are truly inspiring,” said Madam Noraihan.
 
She added that tree-planting initiatives in schools help instil a love for the environment among the young people fostering hope for a greener and more sustainable future.
 
A total 110 Year Six students participated in the tree-planting event. The saplings planted included Kenanga (Cananga Odorata); Jejarum (Ixora); Jasmin (Murraya paniculata); Kelat Paya (Eugenia papilose); Limau Nipis (Citrus aurantiifolia); Limau Kasturi (Citrus microcarpa); Pokok Kari (Murraya koenigii) and Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa).
 
Following the tree-planting, students engaged in a series of educational activities, including interactive quizzes and trivia related to forestry and Malaysia’s 67th Merdeka celebrations. These activities were designed to enhance students’ understanding of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices with exciting prizes for participants.
 
Captions with link:
 
1.    Dato’ Haji Zahari Ibrahim and Madam Noraihan Abdul Rahman mark the launch of the tree-planting event with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. - https://mtc.com.my/i/treeplant/DSC_1179.JPG
 
2.    Some of the students planting the saplings with the assistance of MTC’s staff while the officials look on. -  https://mtc.com.my/i/treeplant/DSC_1348.JPG
 
3.    MTC CEO Madam Noraihan Abdul Rahman lending a helping hand in planting a sapling. -  https://mtc.com.my/i/treeplant/DSC_1388.JPG
 
4.    MTC CEO Madam Noraihan Abdul Rahman delivering her welcoming remarks. - https://mtc.com.my/i/treeplant/DSC_1606.JPG 

About the Malaysian Timber Council
The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) was established in January 1992 to promote the development and growth of the Malaysian timber industry globally. MTC's main objectives are to promote the Malaysian timber trade and develop the market for timber products globally, to promote the development of the industry by upgrading the industry's manufacturing technology base, to augment the supply of raw materials, to provide information services and to protect and improve the Malaysian timber industry's global image. Further information on the Council’s activities can be obtained from www.mtc.com.my. 

Issued by the Malaysian Timber Council 

SOURCE: Malaysian Timber Council 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Ms. Alexis Chang
Corporate Communications Division (CCD)
Tel:  03-9281 1999, Ext: 700
Email: alexis@mtc.com.my
 
Name: Ms. Nur Amira Faezah Mohd Shaofi
Corporate Communications Division (CCD)
Tel: 03-9281 1999, Ext: 708
Email: amira.faezah@mtc.com.my  

--BERNAMA