BYD Malaysia is taking its environmental commitment beyond urban green spaces and into coastal ecosystems, planting 380 mangrove trees at the Mah Meri Cultural Village (MMCV) on Carey Island as part of Phase 2 of its BYD Light the Change CSR programme. Conducted in partnership with DENZA Malaysia and the Mah Meri Cultural Village, the initiative focuses on restoring the coastal ecosystem while supporting the long-term sustainability of the indigenous Mah Meri community. The trees planted include native species such as Bakau Kurap, Nyireh and Nipah, helping strengthen biodiversity, marine habitats and natural coastal resilience.
The latest effort follows the successful completion of Phase 1, which saw BYD Malaysia fulfil part of more than 1,200 digital tree pledges collected from the public during the BYD Light the Change Festival held late last year. Earlier this year, the company planted 120 trees representing 10 native species at The Waterfront @ ParkCity, working together with Desa ParkCity and The International School of ParkCity. With the addition of the 380 mangroves at Carey Island, the programme has now resulted in 500 trees being planted across two locations.
The move into mangrove conservation reflects BYD Malaysia’s broader approach to environmental sustainability, recognising that protecting nature can also mean protecting the communities whose lives and heritage are closely connected to it. For the Mah Meri community, the forests, rivers and mangroves surrounding Carey Island have long played an important role in their way of life and cultural identity. Protecting these natural environments therefore carries significance beyond ecological preservation, helping safeguard traditions and heritage for future generations.
The planting event brought together Jacob Ma, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia; Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Southeast Asia, Sime Motors; Adeline Lew, Managing Director of BYD Sime Motors; employees from BYD Malaysia; BYD and DENZA dealer partners; and student volunteers from SMK Telok Panglima Garang. Working alongside the Mah Meri Cultural Village team led by its Director, Rashid Esa, participants planted the mangroves while gaining a deeper understanding of the community and the role its surrounding ecosystems play in sustaining its traditional way of life.
“At BYD, we believe that creating a better future starts with action,” said Jacob Ma, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia. “With National Day just around the corner, this initiative is a timely reminder that a stronger Malaysia is built when we come together and leave no community behind.” He added that working with the Mah Meri community enabled BYD to take a more inclusive approach to sustainability by combining environmental conservation, community engagement and meaningful partnerships. “For us, this is not simply about planting trees. It is about bringing people together, building meaningful partnerships and taking collective action towards a future that we can all be proud of,” Ma said.
Rashid Esa highlighted the close relationship between the Mah Meri people and their natural surroundings, noting that conservation is closely tied to preserving the community’s identity and heritage. He also expressed hope that the initiative would extend beyond the planting day, with participants continuing to understand the importance of caring for the trees and the wider ecosystem.
The Carey Island programme also went beyond environmental work, giving participants an opportunity to experience elements of Mah Meri culture. Visitors were treated to a traditional Mask Dance ceremony and took part in hands-on activities showcasing traditional hunting skills, wood carving, atap making and traditional costumes. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about a traditional Mah Meri wedding ceremony.
These experiences provided a closer look at the community’s cultural heritage while reinforcing the connection between cultural preservation and the natural environment. Adeline Lew, Managing Director of BYD Sime Motors, said the initiative was meaningful because it transformed sustainability from an idea into direct action. “What makes today meaningful is that we didn’t just come together to talk about sustainability. We came here, got our hands dirty and actually did something together,” she said. Lew added that the programme also represents an opportunity for BYD and DENZA to give back to the communities surrounding their operations and bring people together for a purpose that extends beyond their automotive brands.
The planting of the 380 mangroves marks another step in turning the public’s participation in the BYD Light the Change Festival into tangible environmental action. The programme has now converted more than 1,200 digital tree pledges into a combination of urban tree planting, mangrove conservation and community engagement, with 500 trees planted to date across the two phases.
Importantly, the newly planted mangroves will continue to be monitored and maintained as part of the ongoing conservation effort. This approach is intended to ensure that the initiative delivers benefits beyond a single planting day. As BYD Malaysia continues its journey towards its commitment to “Cool the Earth by 1°C”, the Light the Change programme is set to explore further opportunities in biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration and community initiatives.
