Zakirin
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2026 — BYD Malaysia, in collaboration with DENZA Malaysia and Sime Motors, has completed Phase 2 of its “Light the Change” corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. Held at the Mah Meri Cultural Village on Carey Island, Selangor, the initiative involved planting 380 mangrove trees to support coastal rehabilitation and preserve the natural heritage of the indigenous Mah Meri community.
This phase brings the total number of trees planted under the programme to 500 across two locations, progressing toward the fulfillment of more than 1,200 public digital tree pledges collected during the BYD Light the Change Festival.
Programme Overview and Environmental Metrics
The initiative aligns with BYD’s global environmental mission to “Cool the Earth by 1°C,” shifting from urban landscaping in Phase 1 to marine and coastal wetland conservation in Phase 2.
| Programme Parameter | Details / Specifications |
| Location | Mah Meri Cultural Village, Carey Island, Selangor |
| Phase 2 Planting Volume | 380 mangrove saplings |
| Mangrove Species Planted | Bakau Kurap (Rhizophora mucronata), Nyireh (Xylocarpus granatum), and Nipah (Nypa fruticans) |
| Cumulative Trees Planted | 500 trees across Phase 1 and Phase 2 |
| Total Public Pledges | Over 1,200 digital tree pledges registered |
| Partner Entities | BYD Malaysia, DENZA Malaysia, Sime Motors, Mah Meri Cultural Village (MMCV) |
| Community Participants | SMK Telok Panglima Garang student volunteers, brand dealer partners, staff |
Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 Implementation Comparison
The CSR roadmap transitions between distinct ecological zones to address both urban tree canopy loss and coastal erosion:
- Phase 1 (Urban Greening): Planted 120 trees spanning 10 native species at The Waterfront @ ParkCity, Kepong, in partnership with Desa ParkCity and The International School of ParkCity (ISPKL).
- Phase 2 (Coastal Wetland Restoration): Planted 380 mangrove trees on Carey Island to reinforce coastal soil retention, protect shoreline biodiversity, foster marine breeding grounds, and maintain the natural ecosystem surrounding the Mah Meri settlement.
- Long-Term Monitoring: The newly planted mangroves are integrated into an ongoing maintenance and growth-tracking programme managed in coordination with the Mah Meri Cultural Village.
Community Involvement and Cultural Integration
Alongside the ecological planting efforts, the event integrated cultural exchange programmes to highlight the connection between indigenous livelihoods and mangrove preservation:
- Field Collaboration: Volunteers from BYD Malaysia, DENZA dealer networks, and secondary school students from SMK Telok Panglima Garang worked directly with MMCV team members to prepare the mudflat substrate and plant saplings.
- Cultural Immersion: Participants engaged in traditional Mah Meri cultural heritage activities, including the sacred Mask Dance ceremony, demonstrations of indigenous hunting and wood-carving techniques, atap (palm thatch) weaving, and a traditional wedding presentation.
Key Stakeholder Statements
- Jacob Ma, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia, noted that working directly with the Mah Meri community provides a practical approach to ecosystem restoration, linking environmental sustainability with social inclusivity ahead of National Day celebrations.
- Rashid Esa, Director of Mah Meri Cultural Village, highlighted that the surrounding mangrove forests and rivers are integral to the community’s cultural identity and daily livelihood, emphasizing that ongoing ecosystem care is critical for future generations.
- Adeline Lew, Managing Director of BYD Sime Motors, stated that the joint effort across BYD and DENZA networks reflects the distributor’s focus on translating corporate sustainability pledges into direct community engagement beyond automotive retail operations.
