PAPAR: Hibiscus Petroleum has wrapped up its Mangrove Preservation Outreach Campaign 2025 with the final leg held in Papar.

The programme, aimed at promoting environmental awareness and conservation among youths, involved university students, lecturers and members of the local community.

Hibiscus Petroleum’s Head of Operated Asset Sabah, Ahmad Fazmee Baharuden, said the company was pleased with the positive response and commitment shown by participants.

“Mangroves play a crucial role in protecting coastlines, supporting biodiversity and mitigating climate change.

“The campaign reflects Hibiscus Petroleum’s continued commitment to environmental conservation, community engagement and sustainable development in Sabah,” he said.

Organised in collaboration with the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS), the campaign began at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site on July 3 and continued with a second event in Tuaran on Sept 30, before concluding in Papar.

“It focused on educating participants on the importance of mangrove ecosystems, encouraging youth involvement in environmental stewardship and supporting long-term coastal resilience in Sabah,” said Ahmad Fazmee.

A total of 142 students from 14 secondary schools and three universities took part in the three-part programme.

In Papar, more than 40 students and lecturers from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah participated, along with residents of Kampung Biau.

The Papar District Council assisted by identifying the site for the mangrove planting activity.

The half-day programme, themed “Shaping Tomorrow’s Mangrove Protectors Today”, began at the Kampung Biau community hall with a talk by SWCS on the importance of mangrove ecosystems.

This was followed by a sharing session by Hibiscus Petroleum’s Environment and Sustainable Development Manager (Health, Safety and Environment), Rasima Abdul Rasid @ Awang, on the environmental responsibilities of oil and gas companies.

Participants later planted mangrove saplings at Pantai Manis.