The Tenth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Malaysia (BCSDM) was held on the 12th April 2003 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. The Executive Committee remained the same. Mr Hartmann, Managing Director Schrader Forest Management was elected into the committee to fill the vacancy vacated by RHB Bank Berhad.

After the AGM there was a members get together with high tea at the same venue. The President of BCSDM Datuk Lim Haw Kuang launched our web site.

The ‘Sustainables’ made up of Shaharudin and Ghazali entertained the members and guests.

With a view of encouraging companies to put into place environmental management systems the Sub-committee on Environmental Management System (EMS) of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Malaysia (BCSDM) organized a series of study visits on EMS. For the first visit for 2002 we visited the Sime Aerogreen Technology Farm at Labu on Saturday 11th May 2003.

The programme for the day was as below:
0745 Assemble at BCSDM Secretariat, Plaza Damansara
0800 Depart for Sime Aerogreen Technology Farm at Labu
0915 Arrive at Sime Aerogreen Technology Farm
0930 Briefing and slide presentation by the management, tour of farm and sampling of Sime fresh vegetables and vegetable juice.
1100 Depart for Kuala Lumpur

We saw how temperate vegetables were grown in a tropical country. This is the first of its kind in Malaysia and all the members that visited the farm were very impressed with the technique of growing plants without soil and water. The nutrients were sprayed directly to the roots. The “lettuchino” drink that was sampled by all the participants was very good and very healthy.

The Eleventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Malaysia (BCSDM) was held on the 23rd April at BP Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Menara Maxis, KLCC. En Zainul Rahim Mohd Zain, Deputy Chairman, Shell Malaysia Limited was elected as the President for 2003/ 2004. The Executive Committee remained the same and Mr Quah Thain Khan President / CEO Lafarge Malayan Cement was elected into the committee to fill the vacancy vacated by Shell Malaysia Limited, and Mrs Anita Arphan an individual member was elected to fill in the vacancy vacated by Peter Hartmann who stepped down from the EXCO committee, later Mr Hartmann was co-opted into the committee.

Before the AGM YM Tengku Dr. Zainal Adlin, Chairman, Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation gave a very enlighteing talk. Members were taken on a tour of the very beautiful sights of Sabah’s beaches and Mount Kinabalu. Everyone vowed to make Sabah as their next holiday destination.

After the AGM the President of BCSDM En Zainul Rahim Mohd Zain launched BCSDM’s new web site, and then our host for the day BP Malaysia treated all to a very sumptuous high tea.

BCSDM is organizing a series of workshops on “International Markets, Safety and Environment Standards – Your Key Performance Indicator”. The first workshop on this series was held in Penang on the 27th March and the second was in Kuantan on the 20th May. The speakers for the workshops were from DOE, DOSH, SOCSO, Golden Hope Plantations, Nestle Foods Malaysia and Golden Eco Systems.

With a view of encouraging companies to put into place environmental management systems the Sub-committee on Environmental Management System (EMS) of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Malaysia (BCSDM) organized a series of study visits on EMS. For the first visit for 2003 members visited the United Plantations at Teluk Intan and See Hau Enterprise (recycling) at Sabak Bernam on 10th May.

Members assembled outside BCSDM at 6.30am and left by coach at 7.00am. On arrival at United Plantations, Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri B. Bek Nielsen the Senior Executive Director welcomed the members and after some light refreshments he gave us a brief introduction to United Plantations and its commitment to the environment and sustainable crop production. Dr. Gurmit Singh then briefed the members on oil palm cultivation followed by a visit to the tissue culture lab, where oil palms, bananas and planting materials are being propagated. The extensive range of herbs in the herb garden gave us a good idea what biodiversity is there at our doorsteps. Then we had a tour of the field, which gave everyone an idea on the biomass accrued from harvesting and United Plantations way of utilizing these residues and we were also introduced to their gantry system and at Unitata we were briefed on making of soap. Members then stormed into the bakery and before we proceeded to our next destination we were treated to a very sumptuous lunch at the clubhouse.

The members had a bonus and a detour when Haji Shaharudin invited the members to his factory, Sure Return Corporation near Teluk Intan. We were shown the production of Mengkudu juice and Mengkudu coffee.

Our last stop for the day was a visit to See Hau Industries, a producer of plastic pallets, which involves recycling, injection and compression molding techniques. They are the biggest plastic pallet manufacturer in Malaysia and export to many countries in the world.

Members had a very heavy and fruitful and enjoyable day and all came back with lots of goodies from United Plantations and Sure Return Corporation.

7. Malam Mesra “Wet n Wild”

BCSDM organized its annual Malam Mesra in June with the theme “Wet n Wild”. The theme was in line with the World Environment Day – Water – 2 Billion people are dying for it. The event was successful although the weather was wet in line with the theme. The BBQ spread was sumptuous and everyone enjoyed himself. After the official speeches the lucky draw started and as usual En Shah did his job by getting all the prizewinners to do a little jig before receiving their prizes. The Balle Balle group despite the rain delightfully entertained everyone and BCSDM’s Executive Director chipped in with some very catchy numbers. Prizes were given to the five best dressed, males and females dressed in line with the theme. Everyone went home with a plant sponsored by BP Malaysia. Member companies sponsored all the prizes.

8. Tea Talk on Climate Change

In August BCSDM organized a tea talk on Climate Change by Ir Gurmit Singh of CETDEM. He started by explaining the difference between global warming and climate change, besides addressing the causes and the impact, his vast experience in matters related to the environment, provided that afternoon’s participants with a comprehensive insight into the subject matter. With supporting facts and figures, the urgency to act now became quite clear. At the same time Malaysia’s contribution as a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was highlighted as well.

9. Conference & Exhibition “Environment: The Role of Women”

The Department of Environment, Ministry of Science Technology & the Environment in collaboration with Mothers for Mothers/ E-Homemakers & Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd organized a one- day workshop, the first of this kind in August 2003. The workshop’s aim was to enhance awareness, understanding and participation of women towards implementing environmental friendly practices at home, the niche of family development. One of the highlights of the workshop was the launching of a website specially developed for all mothers who work from home. BCSDM’s ED Dato’ Ghazali Dato’ Yusoff and member Mrs Anita B. Arphan, chaired a panel session each and YM Tengku Marina co-chaired a session.

10. September – Tea Talk

In September the Tea Talk by Mr. Leong Kwok Wing was on “ Vigromat Erosion Control Mattress”. Mr. Leong from CHT Natural Solutions Sdn Bhd and a member of BCSDM gave a very comprehensive presentation of the different applications of “Vigromat”, a uniquely bio-engineered mattress from nutrient rich oil palm fiber. Pictures of real disaster sites and the subsequent treatment with the mats supported strongly the effectiveness of the product, which has a life span of 120 years.

11. Study Visit to BP Solar

BCSDM organized its second study visit for this year to BP Solar at Shah Alam on 25th September 2003. BP Solar is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Petroleum and is one of the largest solar power companies. BP solar offers a full range of solar electric products backed by experience and a name you can trust. BP Solar offers pre-engineered and certified grid and off-grid systems, including Solar Energized line of residential systems, designed by the most experienced application engineers in the field. The members arrived at BP Solar at 9.30am. A presentation on Solar Energy and BP solar Malaysia was presented and then we were taken on a tour of the Solar Module Manufacturing Plant. The study visit ended at 11.30am with some light refreshments.

12. Motor Treasure Hunt

The last event for the year was the Motor Treasure Hunt, which attracted 22 cars. The start was at Plaza Damansara and we finished at D’Fisherman Restaurant at Putrajaya. The Guest of Honour was the Secretary General of the Ministry of Science Technology and the Environment Dato’ Leong Ah Hin. Nestle Malaysia sponsored 30 children from the Pure Life Society and they had a walk and hunt organized for them at the Taman Botani, Putrajaya. Everyone had a good time and all the children went back with some goodie bags

13. Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award

The Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award is the premier environmental award for businesses and industries in Malaysia and is co-organized by BCSDM, ENSEARCH, FMM & MICCI. This year 41 companies participated for the Award. After the first stage of assessment was completed, 25 companies reached the stage two assessment. Two new categories were included in this years Award. They are the SME Special Award and the State Level Award. In the Large Enterprise category St Microelectronics Sdn Bhd won the highest category of the Award, the Excellent Achievement Award. Henkel (M) Sdn Bhd won in the SME category. Only three states participated in the award and the winners from these states are: a) Pahang – ExxonMobil Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Kuantan), b) Perak – Henkel (M) Sdn Bhd and c) Sabah – Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort. The Award presentation was held on the 16th December at the Holiday Vila Hotel Subang.