Sungai acheh: A total of 1,500 mangrove saplings were planted at the Chenaam Fishermen's Jetty in Sungai Acheh as part of efforts to restore coastal ecosystems and protect fisheries resources.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the planting was carried out under Tenaga Nasional Berhad's (TNB) My Brighter Green Initiative (MBGI) 2026 in collaboration with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), bringing the total number of trees planted to date to 39,000. TNB Chief Retail Officer Datuk Kamal Arifin A. Rahman emphasized the importance of mangrove planting in coastal areas, highlighting that these trees serve as breeding grounds for marine life and help reduce coastal erosion.
Kamal Arifin stated that TNB, as a leading energy utility in the country, believes in balancing economic development and electricity supply with environmental responsibility. He noted that TNB continues to strengthen its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda through initiatives supporting the Net Zero 2050 aspiration. The event at the Chenaam Fishermen's Jetty marked the fifth location for the MBGI 2026 programme.
The initiative aims to plant 40,000 mangrove saplings at six locations nationwide under MBGI 2026, which is estimated to absorb about 680 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) annually. This effort is comparable to removing the carbon emissions of 159 petrol-powered passenger vehicles each year. Since 2017, TNB's greening effort has led to the planting of nearly 200,000 trees nationwide, with an estimated absorption of about 3,140 tCO2e annually.
The selection of Chenaam Fishermen's Jetty, located in an estuary and coastal area rich in mangrove forest ecosystems, is significant. These areas are gazetted as forest reserves and are closely linked to the livelihoods of the fishing community. Kamal Arifin pointed out that mangrove forests serve as breeding grounds for fish, prawns, and crabs, while acting as natural barriers to coastal erosion and enhancing the resilience of coastal areas to climate change.
The event was officiated by Penang Rural Development, Agro-technology and Food Security, and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol, who is also the Sungai Acheh assemblyman. Rashidi highlighted the added value of the MBGI 2026 location for the coastal community, as mangrove conservation is closely linked to the sustainability of fisheries resources and the wellbeing of local fishermen.
Rashidi emphasized that the effort goes beyond planting mangrove saplings, involving the conservation of coastal ecosystems, protection of biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for future generations. He expressed gratitude to TNB for choosing Sungai Acheh and Sungai Chenaam for this year's MBGI mangrove planting project.
At the event, TNB presented RM67,500 in corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions to various educational institutions and community organizations. Kamal Arifin noted that from 2025 to June 2026, TNB had channelled RM2.8 million through various CSR and wakalah initiatives in Penang, with RM31.6 million allocated nationwide during the first six months of 2026 for CSR programmes benefiting people across the country.
Meanwhile, food basket recipient Siti Meriam Abdul Hamid, 71, expressed appreciation for the contribution, which helped ease her family's expenses, especially as she cares for two sons with disabilities. She emphasized the importance of TNB's continued attention to the needs of the local community.