SEPANG: The Covid-19 pandemic did not hinder the efforts of Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeso) in continuing to organise corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes in conjunction with its golden jubilee celebrations this year.

       Featuring the theme of environmental conservation, two CSR programmes were conducted as an agency initiative under the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR), in order to foster awareness on the importance of preserving and conserving the environment among its members and Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family).

       The first programme, which took place on Dec 15, focused on efforts to conserve ocean ecosystems and plants through the Mangrove Tree Replanting Programme.

       It was attended and officiated by MOHR Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

       Also present at the event were MOHR deputy secretary-general (policy and international) Maniam Arumugam and Perkeso chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.

       A total of 90 Perkeso staff also participated and contributed their energy in planting mangrove trees in the Sungai Besar area in Sepang.

       Apart from planting mangrove trees, ‘river cruise’ activities were also held for the participants.

       This was in order to enable them to enjoy the beauty of the natural habitat of flora and fauna in the mangrove swamp ecosystem, as well as see the raft houses built along the Sungai Besar Sepang, which are a known attraction in the area.

       Meanwhile, the second CSR programme covers beach cleaning activities at Pantai Bayu Laut.

       Officiated by Perkeso deputy chief executive (operations) John Riba Marin, the programme was attended by 114 Perkeso staff to help clean up the area through collective effort.

       Within three hours, the coastal clean-up successfully collected no less than 465kg of trash and residual waste, such as plastic, packaging materials, glass bottles, tin cans, slippers, cigarette butts and more.

       To educate and inculcate recycling habits among participants, the importance of segregating and recycling garbage that has been collected during beach cleaning activities were also highlighted.

       By organising these CSR activities, Perkeso hopes to inculcate a deeper sense of responsibility of its staff, in efforts to preserve the environment and reduce pollution or waste generation, especially in tourist hotspots.

       These CSR programmes are implemented as one of Perkeso’s efforts to foster environmental awareness among its staff, especially in the preservation and conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity of flora and fauna.

       This is apart from cultivating environmental conservation practices, so that future generations can also enjoy the priceless beauty and benefits of the country’s natural resources.

       Such activities are also in line with the motto of the organisation, which not only seeks to protect workers and employers in the country, but also extends to include initiatives to protect and preserve the environment, as well as flora and fauna.