KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) was awarded the “Government Council of the Year Award for Outstanding Community Support” at the Sustainability and CSR Malaysia Awards 2021.

       Organised by CSR Malaysia, a media company, with the support of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, MTC was recognised for its outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to its stakeholders, the community in which it operates in as well as its commitment towards sustainable environmental development.

       Receiving the award on behalf of the council was MTC chairman Norrida Yusoff who said that the award comes off as a pleasant surprise.

       “Many people have been rather unaware of what MTC has been doing over the years. As the development and promotional arm of the timber industry, MTC’s business approach has always been one that is holistic towards CSR and sustainable development,” Norrida said.

       She shared that the harsh scenarios stamping from the Covid-19 pandemic made CSR all the more important and MTC had specifically fine-tuned its programmes and activities to help needy groups.

       Norrida received the award from CSR Malaysia chairman Datuk R. Rajendran. Also present at the event were MTC chief executive officer Muhtar Suhaili.

       The Sustainability and CSR Malaysia Awards was established by CSR Malaysia to recognise the unwavering commitment of corporations in Malaysia who excelled in socio-economic transformation.

       MTC and the timber industry had contributed RM1,158,950 under its “Giving Back to Community”, “Giving Back to Nature” and “Giving Back to Stakeholders” programmes last year.

       In a separate event, Norrida and Muhtar handed over RM50,000 to Haniza Talha, state assemblyman of Lembah Jaya, in Shah Alam, Selangor, in aid of victims of the flash floods that happened on Nov 22 and affected over 600 residents in Ampang.