MATANG, 16 July 2025 - YTL Cement, Malaysia’s leading homegrown building materials group, today launched a mangrove tree planting programme under its CSR platform, BUILDS in conjunction with YTL Group’s 70th anniversary.

Held at Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve in Kuala Sepetang, the launch was officiated by Dato’ Ts. Dr. Hj. Mohammad Ezanni bin Mat Salleh, Director of the Department of Environment Perak, and witnessed by Firdaus bin Jamil, District Forestry Officer, Larut Matang, Perak State Forestry Department, along with senior representatives from the Department of Environment and Perak State Forestry Department.

The tree planting in Perak was officiated by the Director of Perak’s Department of Environment, Dato’ Ts. Dr Haji Mohammad Ezzani bin Mat Salleh.

Chosen for its ecological significance, Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve plays a key role in coastal protection, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation making it an ideal location to anchor YTL Cement Group’s long-term environmental goals.

Building on this, the programme brought together 135 volunteers, comprising YTL Cement Group employees from Perak, Johor, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, volunteers from DOE and Perak State Forestry Department alongside students from SMK Convent Teluk Intan, in a joint effort to plant 700 mangrove saplings to mark YTL Group’s 70th anniversary.

A total of 135 volunteers planted 700 trees at Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve.

Speaking at the event, Dato’ Halimah Hassan, Director of Green Enable Technologies, YTL Cement Group shared, "We look forward to expanding this programme to more locations across Perak, while continuing to strengthen collaboration with government agencies and educational institutions."

"With sustainability at our core, we are not just future-proofing projects, we are building progress that extend beyond business. BUILDS is about creating lasting value for people, the environment, and the communities we serve. Together, we can position Perak as a model for sustainable development, one that can be replicated across other states," Dato’ Halimah added.

Dato’ Halimah Hassan, Director of Green Enable Technologies, YTL Cement Group delivered a welcoming remark.

Her remarks reflect the broader purpose of BUILDS, which was established to align YTL Cement Group’s corporate responsibility efforts with national sustainability goals. BUILDS brings together three key pillars: Community, Sustainability, and Education.

The Matang initiative adds to the growing portfolio of BUILDS-led programmes that support the wellbeing of people, the environment, and sustainable progress. Since the inception of these initiatives in 2022, YTL Cement Group planted 1,669 trees across Padang Rengas, Sahom, Kanthan, and its Langkawi facility.

These ongoing efforts reflect YTL Cement Group’s commitment to aligning operational excellence with environmental stewardship. As YTL Group celebrates 70 years of nation building, it continues to drive progress across infrastructure development, workforce empowerment, environmental responsibility, and community engagement.