Optimal And MNS Launch Architecture Competition For New Environmental Education Centre

Centre To Showcase Sustainability In Its Architectural Design To Promote Green Awareness In The East Coast Of Peninsular Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, July 2, 2007 - The OPTIMAL Group of Companies (OPTIMAL), a joint venture involving PETRONAS, Malaysia’s National Petroleum Corporation, and Union Carbide Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, launched a competition amongst architecture students in local universities today to design an Environmental Education Centre (EEC) which will be established in Kertih, Terengganu.

The competition was officially launched by YBhg Dato’ Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor, Chairman of the ecoCare Project Steering Committee and Immediate Past President of MNS. Also present were Mr Anthony Sebastion, President of MNS; Mr Hor Wai Kong, General Manager, Finance and Accounts, OPTIMAL Group of Companies; and YBhg Dato’ Hashim Abd Wahab, Vice President of MNS.

The establishment of the EEC is a key component in Phase 2 of the ecoCare program, a joint initiative undertaken with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS). The program aims to promote conservation and nature education involving diverse stakeholders in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. A total grant of approximately RM3.0 million has been allocated for the project.

The ecoCare project comprises of two inter-related initiatives. Phase 1 of the project which began in October 2005 involves reforestation and rehabilitation of ecologically sensitive mangrove habitat and coastal vegetation along the Kertih River. Under this phase, OPTIMAL employees and local communities from primarily three villages namely Kampung Gelugor, Kampung Tengah and Kampung Telaga Papan were involved in restoring depleted mangrove stretches along the Kertih River.

To date, two mangrove nurseries comprising more than 3,000 seedlings have been established while approximately 1,700 seedlings have been transferred to replanting sites along the Kertih River. Replanting activities are carried out by volunteers according to proper niches or zone segmentation to restore the ecosystem to its natural condition. A total of 12 replanting sites located 15km along the Kertih River have been earmarked for rehabilitation under Phase 1 of the project. By December 2007, approximately 3,000 mangrove seedlings are expected to be replanted to restore degraded sites along the river.

In establishing a platform for conservation efforts in Kertih, numerous expeditions have also been carried out to collate valuable data on the Kertih River ecosystem. A Birds Survey carried out in March 2007 has led to the sighting of two threatened resident birds namely the Mangrove Pitta and White-chested Babbler while a scientific research commissioned as part of Phase 1 of the ecoCare project has led to the discovery of fireflies along the Kertih River.

In Phase 2 of the ecoCare project, the EEC which will be established in Kertih, Terengganu, will showcase principles of sustainability in its building architecture to reinforce environmental learning and awareness to diverse stakeholders in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. “Our ultimate goal is to enable the public and most importantly local communities and schoolchildren in Kertih to see and gain first hand tactile and tangible experience at the EEC. We believe that this experience will nurture greater appreciation for nature and provide insight into the increasing need to conserve our natural legacy,” Mr Hor Wai Kong said in his speech.

The ecoCare project entered its second phase end 2006 to focus on the implementation of environmental education programs and curriculum centered at the planned EEC in Kertih. The Centre, which will be the first of its kind in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, will provide an integrated environmental education avenue to promote awareness, understanding and care for nature amongst schoolchildren, teachers and the local community through exhibits, displays and information relating to the Kertih River ecosystem as well as the unique coastal landscape and the biodiversity it sustains.

“The involvement of undergraduates and academicians in establishing the EEC will allow for a broader study and understanding on the benefits of sustainability from a cost optimization perspective, faster development approvals, higher retained land value over time and most importantly, a structure which harmonizes with the ecosystem,” YBhg Dato’ Seri Dr Salleh added.

Five universities namely Univesiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi MARA, University of Technology Malaysia, International Islamic University of Malaysia, and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology will be participating in the competition which will end August 2007. The entries will then be evaluated by a panel of jury comprising Hijjas Kasturi, CEO of Hijjas Kasturi Associates Sdn; Dr Reza Azmi, Founder & Director of Wild Asia; Puan Rosnawati Othman, Director, Kandis Resource Centre; YBhg Dato’ Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor, Immediate Past President of MNS and Chairman, ecoCare Project Steering Committee; and YM Dato’ Tengku Mahamad Tengku Mahamut, CEO, OPTIMAL Group of Companies and Deputy Chairman of the ecoCare Project Steering Committee; and YBhg Dato’ Hashim Abd Wahab, Vice President of MNS.

“Through the competition and our collaboration with Hijjas Kasturi Associates in the establishment of the EEC, we hope to create a stronger awareness on sustainability and its tangible benefits. And as we progress, I’m confident that we would be able to draw the best design from our participants to be used for our EEC,” he said.

The winner of the architecture competition will receive a cash prize of RM5,000 and a one-year internship at Hijjas Kasturi Associate Sdn while the first and second runner-up will receive a cash prize of RM3,000 and RM1,000 respectively. The winning design will also be used, in part or totally, for the OPTIMAL-MNS Environmental Education Centre in Kertih.

“MNS is totally committed towards the continued success of the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project and the EEC establishment which will provide an essential hub for MNS’ activities in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Together with OPTIMAL, our partner in the ecoCare project, we will establish a long-term plan that will ensure that habitat along the Kertih River are conserved and monitored. We will also work with the local communities in Kertih to instil not only awareness but also ownership of the mangroves,” Anthony Sebastian said.

“Apart from creating a base for environment education, the EEC will also play an active role in providing a platform to promote interest in the subject of Science amongst children in Terengganu. This will eventually enable us to develop young local talents for future careers in science and technology to support the growing need of a skilled workforce for various industries,” remarked Mr Hor Wai Kong.

“The implementation of this Project is also in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility policies and practices of our shareholders, PETRONAS and Dow. In this regard, the establishment of the EEC complements and supports the strong education and human capability development focus of PETRONAS’ programmes and initiatives in Kertih,” he concluded.

About OPTIMAL Group of Companies

The OPTIMAL Group of Companies (OPTIMAL) is a joint venture involving PETRONAS, Malaysia’s National Petroleum Corporation, and Union Carbide Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. The Company serves key markets in the Asia Pacific region from its world-scale petrochemical facility located in Kertih, Terengganu. Established in July 1998, OPTIMAL comprises of three companies namely OPTIMAL OLEFINS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD, OPTIMAL GLYCOLS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD and OPTIMAL CHEMICALS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD.

OPTIMAL manufacturers and supplies more than 15 different petrochemical product families and approximately 75 products ranging from basic feedstock of Ethylene and Propylene, to intermediates like Ethylene Oxide, Ethylene Glycol, Butanol and various Ethylene Oxide derivatives. The products also include basic and high performance chemicals.

Website: www.optimal.com.my

About The Malaysian Nature Society

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), established in 1940, is Malaysia’s largest and oldest Non-Governmental Organization which strives towards the protection of Malaysia’s natural heritage.

The main role of MNS, is conservation, whereby research into key habitats are done with a team of full-time scientific officers and volunteer scientists. A membership-based organization, MNS is run by elected members on a voluntary, non-profit basis. The society organizes hikes, talks, slide shows, camping trips and other wholesome family activities. The Kuala Selangor Nature Park as well as education programmes at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, Boh Tea Estate in the Cameron Highlands and Rimba Ilmu at Universiti Malaya, are also run by MNS. A total of 229 secondary schools throughout the country are associated with MNS through the Kelab Pencinta Alam (School Nature Clubs).

The society’s publications include the Malaysian Naturalist, a magazine written for the educated lay reader; Tapir, a newsletter for schools; the Malayan Nature Journal, a scientific periodical; a website and many books.

Website: www.mns.org.my

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nirmala Devi, Manager, Public Affairs, OPTIMAL Group of Companies
(Tel) 03-27836868.

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