SHAH ALAM, Oct 17 — AEON Co (M) Bhd, in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), has planted 100 trees along the Sungai Selangor riverbank in Kuala Selangor in an effort to restore firefly habitats at one of Malaysia's renowned natural attractions.
AEON said that through the programme, themed 'Terang di Hujung Dahan', 50 true sago palm (pokok rumbia) and mangrove apple (pokok berembang) saplings were planted along the riverbanks of Kampung Kuantan Fireflies Park, as both tree species are crucial components of the firefly natural habitat.
“This meaningful effort marks an important step toward ecosystem restoration while supporting scientific research to ensure the sustainability of firefly populations for the benefit of future generations.
“The tree-planting activity, held on October 11, was joined by volunteers from various organisations, including the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas), the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS), the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), local community associations like Inspirasi Kawa and Kongres (Kelab Generasi Warisan Seri Asahan), as well as AEON volunteers,” it said in a statement today.
Also present at the event were Luas director Mohmad Asari Daud, AEON chief human resource officer Kasuma Satria Mat Jadi, FRIM director-general Datuk Ismail Parlan, MPOB's Plantation Section head Mohd Azmi Sunda, and MPKS president representative Muhammad Asyraf Kamarrazaman.
Meanwhile, Kasuma said the collaboration is a testament to AEON and FRIM's long-standing partnership in environmental conservation, and the programme also reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to protecting biodiversity and maintaining the balance of the local ecosystem.
“We hope the effort will continue to bring light to Kuala Selangor not only through the glow of the fireflies that illuminate the night, but also through our shared sense of responsibility in preserving nature for the well-being of the community and generations to come,” he said in the statement.
Meanwhile, Ismail reaffirmed FRIM’s commitment to implementing and sharing the research findings from this programme to ensure long-term impact, while expressing his appreciation for the participation of private-sector partners, particularly AEON, which exemplifies meaningful, high-impact corporate social responsibility.
The collaboration between AEON and FRIM in conserving the firefly habitat in Kuala Selangor began in 2011 at Tanjung Beluntas. The project was carried out in two phases, covering activities like site clearing, research, tree planting, and maintenance.
In 2018, AEON volunteers, together with the Selangor State Economic Planning Unit, implemented a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project involving tree-planting activities to support the firefly habitat in the same area.
To date, AEON has planted more than 1,000 trees in Kuala Selangor, where the growth of fireflies was recorded.
