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Terengganu, July 14, 2025 - Nestlé Malaysia’s 2025 Coastal and Underwater Clean-Up initiative made waves in Terengganu, where an impactful collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM), and the local fishing community of Pantai Tok Jembal brought marine conservation and community support to life. With renewed purpose and stronger on-ground action, over 350 volunteers—including Nestlé employees, UMT students, and LKIM representatives joined forces with the support of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to remove entangled ghost nets from seabeds, clean shorelines, remove barnacles from fishing boats, repair fishing huts, and distribute essential provisions to the fisherman community.
Volunteers from Nestlé Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) clean barnacles off fishing boats at Pantai Tok Jembal to help improve safety and efficiency, as part of Nestlé's 2025 coastal clean-up
Nestlé volunteers help construct and paint a fishing hut at Pantai Tok Jembal to give a refreshed look for the local community
As part of the Nestlé Sayang Komuniti Employee Volunteer Programme, this initiative aims to restore the coastal environment and create public awareness about the impacts of ocean pollution. It also supports fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on a healthy ocean and thriving marine life through collaborative efforts and community engagement.
Alongside Pantai Tok Jembal, Nestlé volunteers and UMT’s Ocean Heroes team also conducted an underwater clean-up at the nearby Pulau Bidong to remove ghost nets from the ocean floor. These discarded fishing nets cause boats to damage coral reefs and marine ecosystems. UMT researchers also carried out waste audits to collect data that will support long-term marine protection.
Terengganu, home to thriving coral reefs and key fish breeding grounds, is among the areas in Malaysia most affected by the accumulation of plastic waste in coastal waters. Studies indicate that Malaysians ingest some of the highest levels of microplastics globally, much of it through seafood consumption. This further confirms that reducing marine pollution is increasingly urgent for both environmental and public health reasons.
Mr. Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia, said, “At Nestlé, our Creating Shared Value approach drives us to create lasting benefits for both people and the planet. Our ambition to achieve plastic neutrality compels us to work hand-in-hand with local stakeholders to remove plastic waste from the environment and embed sustainable practices across our value chain. This collaboration in Terengganu with our partners and the community of Pantai Tok Jembal, reflects our deep commitment to protecting natural ecosystems while supporting those whose livelihoods depend on them. With microplastics increasingly threatening our food systems, initiatives like this are not only vital for environmental health but also for strengthening Malaysia’s food security, food safety, and the long-term resilience of our coastal communities.”
UMT, Malaysia’s leading institution in marine and coastal research, played a pivotal role in the underwater clean-up – from strategic planning and dive coordination to marine waste analysis. Prof. Madya Dr. Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim, Researcher of the Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG-UMT) said, “Our partnership with Nestlé Malaysia enabled us to translate research into real-world impact. By removing ghost nets and marine debris, we’re not only improving marine ecosystems but also directly enhancing the livelihoods of local fishing communities. This collaboration raises public awareness and strengthens the foundation for long-term environmental stewardship in Malaysia.”
Apart from Terengganu, an additional 190 Nestlé employee volunteers spearheaded clean-up efforts at Pantai Kelanang (Selangor), Pantai Teluk Senangin (Perak) and Pantai Tanjung Aru (Sabah), continuing the Company’s longstanding efforts to tackle plastic waste at scale. All collected waste was responsibly sorted and sent to designated recyclers or approved disposal facilities.
The 2025 Coastal and Underwater Clean-Up saw a total of approximtely 2 tonnes of waste collected. Since its inception in 2019, the annual initiative has removed a collective total of almost 17 tonnes of marine waste from Malaysian shores.
Volunteers form a line to channel collected marine waste to a designated point for weighing and sorting, following a successful clean-up at Pantai Tok Jembal
Nestlé Sayang Komuniti (formerly known as Nestlé Cares) is Nestlé Malaysia’s platform to empower employees to contribute directly to community and environmental causes. By working with local communities and environmental partners, Nestlé Malaysia continues to foster long-term sustainability and resilient livelihoods in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
(Second from left) Mr. Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia, presents essential fishing supplies and equipment to the local fishing community
Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia, UMT with the support of APMM successfully remove ghost nets from the ocean floor to help restore marine habitats and protect coral reefs from damage
Over 350 volunteers, including Nestlé Malaysia employees, UMT students and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) representatives joined forces at Pantai Tok Jembal for the 2025 Nestlé Coastal and Underwater Clean-Up initiative, working together with the local fishing community to protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable livelihoods
About Nestlé Malaysia: Nourishing Malaysians for Over a Century
Since 1912, Nestlé has been dedicated to nourishing Malaysians and building their trust through our high-quality brands and products. We contribute to food security as well as to the health and well-being of the Rakyat through our trusted brands and a long-term commitment to Malaysia in the form of investments, employment, and various initiatives that uplift local communities. Today, we operate six factories, employing over 5,000 Malaysians, and we are the Halal Centre of Excellence for Nestlé globally. We are committed to providing halal, nutritious, and high-quality products with sustainability at the heart of our business practices - Made in Malaysia, by Malaysians, for all Malaysians.
As the world's largest food and beverage manufacturer, with our headquarters based in Switzerland, Nestlé operates in over 180 countries. With a workforce of over 270,000 dedicated employees, we are driven by our purpose to unlock the power of food, enhancing the quality of life for everyone, both today and for future generations. Our commitment to nutrition, health, and wellness guides our performance, ensuring we deliver on our promise of GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE.
To discover more about our century-long journey of nourishing Malaysians, please visit our website at https://www.nestle.com.my/ask-nestle/we-are-nestle.
For more information, please contact:
Shaheen Zaffar
Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad
Tel: (+603) 7965 6456
E-mail: [email protected]
Anis Farisha or Yasmin Kadir
acorn communications
Tel: (+603) 7958 8348
E-mail: [email protected]
