Launch of HSBC Community Project
By Dk Suria Rina PHA & James Kon

Dato Paduka Awang Haji Md Yusof having a closer look at the turtle

Dato Paduka Awang Haji Md Yusof and Mr Marcus Hurry having a look at the exhibition

In a strong support towards "HSBC in Community" initiatives, staff members of HSBC Brunei organised the annual HSBC Community Project 2003 in Muara Beach yesterday morning. The HSBC Community Project, 'Cleaning Up of 3km stretch of the Muara Beach Recreation Area', was attended by more than 450 HSBC staff including their family members.

The project was officially launched by Dato Paduka Awang Haji Md Yusof Bin Hj Md Hassan, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs. He was also the guest of honour.

Also present were Pg Datin Paduka Hajah Mariam, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Awg Hj Zakaria Bin Hj Serudin, Acting Director of Environment, Parks and Recreation Department, Dyg Hasnah bte Ibrahim, the Deputy Director of Fisheries, senior government officers and HSBC staff.

The project also complemented the Turtle Conservation and Awareness Day for HSBC staff, which included the release of 50 turtles by the guest of honour and HSBC staff.

Mr Marcus Hurry, the Chief Executive Officer of HSBC noted that HSBC branches around the world were committed to supporting the environment and promoting good environmental practice.

"What you see today is a good example of brand-in-practice. Being a member of the local community, we come out today with our families and help to clean up this beautiful beach and through the release of the turtles support other community efforts to maintain the ecological balance of the nature.

"This event also helps to educate our children, to both appreciate the environment and show personal involvement which can be both important and fun," said the CEO in his welcome remarks.

He added that they believed the support for educational and environment project is where they as a community can make the most difference, as almost three-quarter of the community contributions worldwide are dedicated to these two areas.

He further added that in Brunei, HSBC has also been involved and associated with a number of environmental projects, notably the preservation of Merimbun Heritage Park, the renovation of Tasek Lama Recreation Park and the planting of trees at His Majesty's Silver Jubilee Park at Jln Pasar Ulak.

With long support for the environment, HSBC has committed US$50 million to an eco-partnership with Botanic Garden Conservation International, Earthwatch and the World Wildlife Fund in 2002. This partnership will provide opportunities to 2,000 HSBC staff worldwide to participate in various conservation projects worldwide.

The CEO added that in the year 2002, 200 HSBC staff from 38 countries were involved in 42 different conservation projects around the world, generating 193,000 hours of scientific research - equivalent of one scientist research work for more than a decade.

HSBC has sponsored a local HSBC Brunei staff, Miss Karen Tsen Hui Yen who participated in Hawksbill Sea Turtle's conservation project in Barbados in 2002. While in 2003, two more local HSBC staff have been selected to participate first in a forest restoration programme in Vietnam and second in a restoration of Roman Fort Archaelogical site in Newcastle, United Kingdom.

During yesterday's project, the HSBC staff was busy cleaning up the beach while the children were involved in a drawing competition as part of the activities of creating awareness amongst the staff's children.

There was also an exhibition about Sea Turtle of Barbados at the beach and hatchligns were showcased in aquarium to the public.

Mr Marcus Hurry with Dato Paduka Awang Haji Md Yusof and the rest of the VIPs had a tour around the exhibition booth and then proceeded to release some of the turtles to the sea.

This year's project theme focused on creating awareness amongst the staff on the importance of turtle conservation, and to help in maintaining a natural "turtle-breeding" environment for the turtles through this cleaning campaign.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin