Port dickson: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has allocated RM800,000 to the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) to plant 40,000 mangrove saplings under the My Brighter Green Initiative (MBGI) 2026, as part of its environmental conservation efforts and in support of the country's sustainability agenda.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, TNB senior network officer Ir Mahathir Nor Ismail stated that the programme, spanning six locations nationwide, is expected to absorb about 680 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) annually. This is comparable to the yearly emissions of 159 petrol-powered vehicles. The MBGI aims to continue TNB's national greening efforts by restoring natural ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and supporting Malaysia's energy transition and net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Mahathir emphasized that the initiative reflects TNB's commitment to ensuring that the country's energy development progresses alongside environmental conservation. He remarked, "As the country's leading electricity utility, TNB believes economic development and energy security must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility," during the launch of MBGI 2026 at the Tuanku Muhriz Power Station, Jimah, Port Dickson.
The initiative began in Kubang Badak, Langkawi, in June with 10,000 mangrove saplings, followed by 25,000 at the Tanjung Burung Mangrove Forest in Perak, and 1,000 at the Tanjung Tuan Permanent Forest Reserve in Melaka. The Tuanku Muhriz Power Station became the fourth location for MBGI 2026, where 1,500 mangrove saplings were planted, bringing the total number planted so far to 37,500.
The programme will proceed in Nibong Tebal, Penang, on August 14 with 1,500 saplings before concluding this year's programme at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) in Bangi in October with another 1,000 saplings. Mahathir noted that MBGI 2026 builds on TNB's previous greening efforts, under which nearly 200,000 trees were planted nationwide between 2017 and 2025. These trees are estimated to absorb approximately 3,140 tCO2e per year, equating to the yearly carbon emissions from 732 petrol-powered passenger vehicles.
MNS acting executive director Mohammad Raffi Ismail highlighted that the partnership with TNB since 2019 has transformed the open coastal area around the Tuanku Muhriz Power Station into a thriving mangrove habitat. Jimah was chosen after a pilot project successfully restored the habitat, aiding in coastline protection from erosion and carbon absorption.
The mangrove planting programme aims to restore ecosystems and encourage public participation through the involvement of school students, local communities, and government agencies. "Mangroves are vital breeding grounds for marine species, particularly fish, crabs, and shellfish, and help maintain the balance of marine ecosystems," he said. As the habitat thrives, more marine species are expected to return.
TNB also contributed RM50,000 to Politeknik Nilai, Sekolah Kebangsaan Chuah, SJK(C) Yik Chiao, Masjid Chuah, and Masjid Kampung Sawah as part of its community development efforts. During the first half of 2026, the company channelled RM620,000 into corporate social responsibility and Wakalah programmes in Negeri Sembilan. SJK(C) Yik Chiao headmaster Pow Kak Wei noted the mangrove project's positive impact on the local environment, particularly for nearby fishing communities, with the return of various fish and crab species demonstrating the restoration effort's effectiveness.