Petaling Jaya, 17 June 2021 – Non-governmental organisation, OKU Sentral, and Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) has started to welcome the first group of OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya or Persons with Disabilities) COVID-19 vaccine recipients to the world's inaugural OKU Sentral Drive-through Vaccination Centre (PPV) at SDP's headquarters in Plantation Tower, Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

SDP is the venue and logistics provider, while its philanthropic arm Yayasan Sime Darby is the financial sponsor for the five-month programme initiated by OKU Sentral after discussions with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). Ara Damansara Medical Centre, part of the Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care group of hospitals, is the exclusive partner hospital to the initiative with its team of 30 staff members comprising of doctors, nurses and ancillary personnel on duty per day.

Some 13,500 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) together with carers will be the first to receive their vaccines from the 16,000 people who registered for the programme earlier this month. Registration for this vaccination programme was opened for PWDs above 18 years of age from all seven government-recognised disability categories – Blind, Deaf, Speech Disability, Physical Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Learning Disability and Mental Disability – from Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor.

As a community-driven solution out of a public-private partnership, the programme aims to help accelerate the government's goal to achieve herd immunity by providing easy access to the disabled community and their caretakers to receive their vaccines.

Chairperson of OKU Sentral, Yang Berhormat Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi said, "During the pandemic many of my friends within the OKU community continue to feel a sense of being left behind, this programme will go a long way to bridging the gap. The ability to get vaccinated while driving through is extremely considerate, as mobility remains one of our community's many concerns. It will also ensure that more come out and get vaccinated."

"I feel that it is extremely important that everyone comes together during these trying times, when everyone chips-in we create a modern day' gotong royong' be it with ideas, time, motivating each other or through financial contributions like Sime Darby Plantation. Programmes like these makes people realise that Malaysians have always been caring, and working together during this pandemic is how we need to fight COVID-19," said Datuk Ras Adiba, who is also a Member of the Senate of Malaysia to represent PWDs.

"According to the World Health Organisation, the OKU community makes up 15 per cent of the country's population, which is approximately 4.7 million in Malaysia. But less than 600,000 are registered with the Welfare Department of Malaysia (JKM)," Datuk Ras Adiba continued, "So, a lot of my friends out there are still unregistered. We have a long way to go to get our friends registered with JKM; I feel that this could be one of the ways to get our friends who are not registered to do so."

Extending her gratitude, Datuk Ras Adiba said, "I am very thankful to the Almighty for being given this opportunity by MOSTI Minister, YB Khairy Jamaluddin, to carry out OKU Sentral's mission in ensuring PWDs are vaccinated, which means a lot to me and the rest of the PWD community in the country. I am especially thankful that my friends out there have decided to come out and register for the vaccine under this programme as this means they understand the importance of getting vaccinated from COVID-19, and I'm hoping others within the community will follow suit.

"I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our programme partners and supporters – the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Ministry of Health (MoH), the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV), COVID-19 Immunisation Taskforce (CITF), Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), Selangor State Government, Selangor State Department of Health, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, Yayasan Sime Darby, Ara Damansara Medical Centre, ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), the Malaysian Volunteer Department (RELA), and the OKU Sentral Volunteers (OSV) – for their tireless support and guidance towards making this programme a reality."

SDP's Group Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said, "As the official venue sponsor of this initiative, Sime Darby Plantation is humbled to be given the opportunity to be part of this historic initiative. We view it as our duty to contribute back to society by supporting the government's initiative to help ease and accelerate the rate of vaccination, so that our nation can achieve herd immunity.

"We would not have been able to set up this special drive-through PPV without the collaboration, guidance and support from all programme partners. On behalf of all at Sime Darby Plantation, I would like to thank the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Health and OKU Sentral for considering our offer to provide the venue for this drive-through PPV, as well as to all programme partners and our employees for their support," added Mohamad Helmy.

Upon hearing about the programme and SDP's involvement, employees of the Company had signed up as volunteers to assist and ensure a smooth flow of the entire process throughout the five months. In addition, SDP Group's downstream operations, Sime Darby Oils, is also sponsoring special treats made with its own products for all volunteers, including medical personnel from Protect Health, Ara Damansara Medical Centre, The People's Volunteer Corps (RELA), and OKU Sentral members.

For further information, please contact OKU Sentral Hotline:

Tel: 011 6455 6194 / 017 202 9756 (Monday - Saturday, 9.00am-5.00pm)
Email: okusentral@gmail.com

Petaling Jaya, 24 June 2021 – Persatuan OKU Sentral (OKU Sentral) and Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) today welcomed Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Mohd. Yassin to the OKU Sentral Drive-Through Vaccination Centre (PPV), which is specifically for vaccinating Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) or Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) community, at SDP's headquarters in Plantation Tower, Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

Chairperson of OKU Sentral, Yang Berhormat Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi said, “I am pleased to see that my OKU friends have been incredibly supportive in the nation’s fight against COVID-19 by coming out and getting vaccinated. Being the first and the only OKU drive-through PPV in Malaysia and the world, I am delighted to say that we have received a 95 per cent satisfaction rating from our vaccine recipients. We are only in our second week running, and our goal is to keep this rating high throughout the next five months.

“As the representative of the OKU community and on behalf of my friends, I would like to thank the Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Mohd. Yassin for visiting the facilities here today despite his busy schedule, to take time to understand the unique concerns faced by our OKU community during the pandemic. OKU Sentral is proud to be playing a role in the broader National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).

“The OKU community in Malaysia is not small. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15 per cent of the country’s population are the disabled, hence in our country its almost 4.7 million people. But less than 600,000 are registered as an OKU with the Welfare Department of Malaysia (JKM),” Datuk Ras Adiba continued, “So I am hopeful that more of my OKU friends will get registered under JKM through this programme as we are also distributing JKM’s OKU registration forms here.”

The drive-through PPV for PWDs is a community-driven solution born out of a public-private partnership, which aims to provide easy access to the disabled community as well as their carers to help accelerate the nation’s inoculation drive.

Datuk Ras Adiba, who is also a Member of the Senate of Malaysia to represent PWDs, said “I believe that this community-based approach, is a viable solution to speed up the government’s COVID-19 vaccination roll-out and to assist in the nation’s recovery from the pandemic. And on behalf of my friends in the OKU community, we are pleased to receive the government’s support as part of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). And we are incredibly grateful to partner with SDP and Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) for this vaccination programme.”

SDP's Group Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said, "It is truly an honour for all of us at Sime Darby Plantation to welcome YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Mohd. Yassin, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, to our Plantation Tower headquarters here in Ara Damansara today. As the official venue sponsor of the OKU Sentral Drive through PPV, we are proud to be a part of an important initiative which we hope will help accelerate the rate of vaccination in our nation’s journey to achieve herd immunity.

"The strong collaboration and commitment from all programme partners continue to be instrumental in the smooth running of this PPV which is now in its second week of operation. On behalf of all at Sime Darby Plantation, I would like to thank our Prime Minister, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Health, OKU Sentral as well as all programme partners and our employees for their continued support," added Mohamad Helmy. Accompanying the Prime Minister during his visit was the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Rina binti Mohd Harun.

On behalf of the country’s PWD community, Datuk Ras Adiba said, “I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our programme partners and supporters – the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Ministry of Health (MOH), the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV), COVID-19 Immunisation Taskforce (CITF), Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), Malaysia Vaccine Support Volunteers (MyVAC), Selangor State Government, Selangor State Department of Health, Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, Yayasan Sime Darby, Ara Damansara Medical Centre, ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), the Malaysian Volunteer Department (RELA), Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), and the OKU Sentral Volunteers (OSV) – for their tireless effort, support and guidance towards making this programme a reality.”

Registration for this vaccination programme, which is now closed, was opened earlier this month for PWDs above 18 years of age from all seven government-recognised disability categories – Blind, Deaf, Speech Disability, Physical Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Learning Disability and Mental Disability – from Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor. Within the first five days of operation, the drive-through PPV has administered a total of 753 vaccines.

SDP is the venue and logistics provider, while its philanthropic arm Yayasan Sime Darby is the financial sponsor for the five-month programme initiated by OKU Sentral after discussions with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). Ara Damansara Medical Centre, part of the Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care group of hospitals, is the exclusive partner hospital to the initiative with its team of 30 staff members comprising doctors, nurses and ancillary personnel on duty per day.

Upon hearing about the programme and SDP's involvement, employees of the Company had signed up as volunteers to assist and ensure a smooth flow of the programme. In addition, SDP Group's downstream operations, Sime Darby Oils, is also sponsoring special treats made with its red palm fruit oil product – ELAIESE, for all programme volunteers, including medical personnel from Protect Health, Ara Damansara Medical Centre, The People's Volunteer Corps (RELA), and OKU Sentral volunteers.

For further information, please contact OKU Sentral Hotline:

Tel: 011 6455 6194 / 017 202 9756 (Monday - Saturday, 9.00am-5.00pm)
Email: okusentral@gmail.com 

Sarawak, 8 July 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) aims to vaccinate over 4000 of its workers and their dependants living in SDP’s operations in the Bintulu region in Sarawak this month. Together with the Sarawak State Government’s Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), SDP launched one of the state’s first industrial vaccination centres (PPVIN) for the palm oil sector in Rajawali Estate, Bintulu today. This will be followed by a second vaccination exercise in SDP’s Lavang Estate, Bintulu on 14 July 2021.

This public-private partnership is SDP’s second initiative in support of Malaysia’s National Immunisation Programme. Later this month, SDP will be hosting another PPVIN at its Tennamaram Estate in Bestari Jaya, Selangor, which is expected to cover approximately 6500 plantation industry workers, including those from other companies in the state. This will also be followed by more PPVIN centres at SDP’s operations in other states over the next few months.

Bintulu DDMC Chairman, Jack Aman Luat, said private-public partnerships are key to helping the government accelerate its efforts to achieve herd immunity expeditiously.

"Fighting the pandemic has become a battle that requires a collective call to action for people from all walks of life. It is imperative that we join forces to increase the pool of vaccinated Malaysians for the good of all. We urge more private companies to work together with us to combine our expertise, resources, and logistics for the people of Sarawak.

"Time is of the essence as we continue to dampen the spread of the virus that has crippled the world. Targeted PPVIN centres like this one for the palm oil industry will help to provide us the assurance that economic sectors which provide essential products for consumers as well as job opportunities for thousands will be able to remain safe against the growing threat of COVID-19," added Jack Aman, who is also the Bintulu Division Resident.

SDP's Regional Chief Executive Officer for Sarawak, Khairul Nizam Idris said the vaccination exercise is not only important for SDP workers who are front liners in an essential industry for the country, but also for their family members who live in the Company’s operations area.

“We have reached out to all our workers and their dependants to explain the procedures involved and to stress that the programme is completely voluntary. All communications with our foreign workers were conducted in their national language to ensure informed consent to being vaccinated,” said Khairul.

SDP will also take necessary measures to ensure that all its workforce in operations outside Malaysia are able to participate in similar national vaccination programmes, where ever available. All SDP’s operations globally are observing national and operational level health and safety procedures.

On 17 June 2021, in collaboration with OKU Sentral, SDP opened up its headquarters in Ara Damansara to host the nation’s first drive through vaccination centre dedicated to persons with disabilities and their care givers. Approximately 13,500 eligible recipients have registered for the programme and the centre is expected to operate for 5 months.

Besides SDMC, other programme partners for the PPVIN include the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land & Regional Development (MANRED) Sarawak, the Ministry of Urban Development & Natural Resources (MUDeNR) Sarawak, the National Security Council (NSC) Sarawak, the Resident Office Bintulu, the District Office Bintulu, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Bintulu Divisional Health Office.

Petaling Jaya, 19 July 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) in collaboration with Yayasan Sime Darby has launched the ‘Kami Prihatin’ campaign to distribute food and essential items to members of the public who are in need. The 6-month nation-wide campaign also offers employment opportunities in the Company’s upstream operations for locals who are looking for jobs during this challenging times.

Aid Distribution Centres
Aid distribution centres have been set up at several of SDP’s estates and mills across the nation. Locals can also submit their applications for the various job vacancies available in the Company. To kick off the ‘Kami Prihatin’ campaign, SDP has launched its distribution centres at the following locations:

More distribution centres will be set up in other states in the coming months.

The ‘Kami Prihatin’ food and essential goods baskets will include items such as rice, cooking oil, flour, sugar, salt, canned sardines, biscuits and tea bags, as well as hygiene kits which include soap bar, detergent, sanitary pads, shampoo, toothpaste and face masks. Each basket will have flyers on job opportunities as well as instructions to leave contact details if anyone is interested to seek employment from SDP.

Job Opportunities

“The global economic fallout and unemployment rate due to the Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented. We are living through difficult times and Sime Darby Plantation is pleased to be able to contribute to the members of our community. We are opening our doors to the locals to join us as there are various job opportunities available in our operations and we believe this would be more valuable and sustainable for them in the long-term. We are also working closely with Jabatan Tenaga Kerja, SOCSO and other parties to reach out to these communities,” said SDP’s Group Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha.

The types of job available in SDP’s operations include harvesting specialists, fruit collectors, drivers (tractor, school bus, van), mill workers, mechanics, machine operators, clinic assistants and general workers. SDP will provide relevant trainings to all new employees based on their job type, and personal protective equipment to ensure their safety at work.

“We provide a healthy and safe community to live in for all our employees in the operations. There are also many attractive benefits including free housing, medical, insurance schemes, monthly selected essential provisions, various allowances and incentives as well as access to amenities such as clinics, child-care centres and transportation for their children to go to school,” added Mohamad Helmy.

Yayasan Sime Darby’s (YSD) Chief Executive Officer Dr Hjh. Yatela Zainal Abidin said, “This effort does not only provide urgent provision of food and necessities for needy communities during these unprecedented times. It also provides hope for those who have lost their jobs and income streams due to the pandemic by offering them job opportunities that come with various benefits.”

“Through the generous donations from the three Sime Darby companies, YSD has so far committed more than RM12.3 million towards the fight against COVID-19 since March 2020 which has benefitted more than 72,000 individuals, households, and front liners. We are humbled to be part of this new collaborative initiative with SDP, which is indeed one of its kind as it provides both urgent short-term and sustainable long-term assistance for local communities. The assistance will help lift their socioeconomic situation and also hopefully, address the serious mental health issues plaguing the country at this moment,” Yatela added.

For further information on job opportunities available in various states under the ‘Kami Prihatin’ campaign, members of the public can contact the following hotline numbers via WhatsApp:

• Perlis, Kedah,Pulau Pinang & Perak : 019-844 0326
• Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu & Kelantan: 019-255 1484
• Negeri Sembilan & Melaka : 011-1984 0290
• Johor : 011-1919 2273
• Sarawak : 013-816 5672
• Sabah : 013-572 1817

Petaling Jaya, 19 Julai 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP), dengan kerjasama Yayasan Sime Darby, telah melancarkan kempen ‘Kami Prihatin’ bagi menyalurkan bantuan makanan dan barangan keperluan kepada masyarakat serta orang awam yang memerlukan. Kempen yang berlangsung selama enam bulan di seluruh Negara ini turut menawarkan pelbagai peluang pekerjaan dalam operasi perladangan huluan syarikat tersebut kepada warga tempatan yang terkesan serta hilang punca pendapatan akibat suasana persekitaran yang kian mencabar.

Pusat Edaran Bantuan

Beberapa pusat edaran bantuan di ladang serta kilang kelapa sawit milik SDP di seluruh Negara kini dibuka untuk menyalurkan bantuan dan menerima permohonan pekerjaan. Sebagai permulaan kempen ini, pusat-pusat edaran bantuan tersebut boleh didapati di lokasi-lokasi berikut:

SDP bakal membuka lebih banyak lagi pusat edaran bantuan di negeri-negeri lain dalam masa terdekat.

Beberapa barang makanan seperti beras, minyak masak, tepung, gula, garam, sardin, biskut dan teh uncang serta barangan keperluan asas seperti sabun mandi dan pencuci pakaian, tuala wanita, syampu, ubat gigi serta pelitup hidung dan mulut boleh didapati dalam kotak barangan keperluan kempen ‘Kami Prihatin’ yang akan diedarkan. Turut disertakan dalam kotak tersebut adalah maklumat berhubung peluang-peluang pekerjaan yang ditawarkan SDP, serta cara-cara membuat permohonan kerja kepada sesiapa yang berminat.

Peluang Pekerjaan

“Kemerosotan ekonomi global serta kadar pengangguran yang diakibatkan oleh pandemik Covid-19 adalah di luar jangkaan. Sime Darby Plantation bersyukur kerana kami masih lagi dapat membantu golongan yang kurang bernasib di kalangan masyarakat kita untuk mengharungi hidup yang semakin mencabar. Syarikat kami membuka pintu seluasluasnya dan mempelawa warga tempatan untuk memenuhi pelbagai kekosongan pekerjaan yang kami tawarkan kerana ini adalah peluang yang lebih bernilai dan bermakna untuk mereka bagi jangkamasa panjang. Untuk tujuan ini, kami juga bekerjasama rapat dengan pihak Jabatan Tenaga Kerja, PERKESO serta pihak-pihak yang berkenaan supaya bantuan dan peluang menyara hidup dapat diberikan kepada sesiapa sahaja yang memerlukan,” menurut Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan SDP.

Jawatan-jawatan kosong yang ditawarkan oleh SDP termasuklah pakar penuai, pengumpul buah sawit lerai, pemandu (traktor, bas/van sekolah), pekerja kilang kelapa sawit, mekanik, pengendali jentera, pembantu klinik dan pekerja am. Untuk setiap jenis pekerjaan, SDP memberikan latihan yang cukup dan bersesuaian kepada setiap pekerja baru serta peralatan keselamatan peribadi bagi memastikan keselamatan mereka di tempat kerja.

“Adalah keutamaan bagi kami juga untuk memastikan agar para pekerja di operasi perladangan SDP hidup dalam suasana komuniti yang sihat dan selamat. Di samping itu, mereka juga dapat menikmati pelbagai faedah yang menarik seperti perumahan dan rawatan perubatan percuma, skim insurans, barangan makanan dan keperluan khusus setiap bulan, pelbagai elaun dan insentif serta kemudahan-kemudahan seperti klinik, pusat penjagaan kanak-kanak dan pengangkutan anak-anak ke sekolah,” tambah Mohamad Helmy.

Ketua Pengawai Eksekutif Yayasan Sime Darby, Dr. Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin berkata, “Kempen ini tidak tertumpu kepada keperluan makanan dan barangan keperluan sematamata. Peluang pekerjaan serta faedah-faedah yang ditawarkan oleh SDP memberi harapan kepada mereka yang hilang pekerjaan dan punca pendapatan dalam situasi semasa yang semakin tenat.”

“Melalui sumbangan ketiga-tiga syarikat Sime Darby, dari Mac 2020 sehingga kini, YSD telah berupaya memperuntukan lebih RM12.3 juta bagi tujuan menangani impak COVID-19 serta memberi manfaat kepada lebih 72,000 individu, keluarga dan para petugas barisan hadapan. Kami bersyukur dapat bekerjasama dengan syarikat SDP dalam inisiatif yang murni ini kerana ia dapat memberi jalan penyelesaian segera dan jangkamasa yang lebih panjang kepada masyarakat tempatan. Adalah menjadi harapan kami semoga kempen ini bukan sahaja dapat membantu melegakan keadaan sosio-ekonomi bagi mereka yang terkesan, malahan juga masalah kesihatan mental yang semakin melanda Negara kita pada masa ini,” tambah Yatela.

Untuk maklumat lanjut berkenaan peluang-peluang pekerjaan yang ditawarkan oleh SDP di setiap negeri di seluruh negara melalui kempen ‘Kami Prihatin’, orang awam boleh menghubungi talian-talian utama berikut:

• Perlis, Kedah,Pulau Pinang & Perak : 019-844 0326
• Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu & Kelantan: 019-255 1484
• Negeri Sembilan & Melaka : 011-1984 0290
• Johor : 011-1919 2273
• Sarawak : 013-816 5672
• Sabah : 013-572 1817

Bestari Jaya, 26 July 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) has opened its third industrial vaccination centre (PPVIN) in its Tennamaram Estate in Bestari Jaya, Selangor. This PPVIN centre will benefit some 6,500 plantation workers from the palm oil, rubber and other agricultural sectors in the Selangor state.

The Tennamaram PPVIN centre is a pilot exercise for the plantation sector in Peninsular Malaysia under the Vaccination Programme for the Agri Commodity Sector (VACOMS), led by the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA). It will be used to vaccinate not just SDP workers, but also plantation workers from other companies in Selangor.

Earlier this month, SDP had established two other PPVIN centres at its Rajawali and Lavang estates in Bintulu, Sarawak, to immunise over 4,000 workers.

"It is vital that plantation workers, the backbone of the country's agricultural sector, are given the opportunity to be vaccinated," said SDP’s Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha.

"However, while the health and well-being of our workers are important to us, we must also ensure that the entire vaccination exercise is voluntarily and that our workers fully understand the process and what it entails," he added.

SDP has been part of the national effort to ramp up vaccinations across the country to achieve herd immunity for the people. On 17 June 2021, SDP opened up its headquarters in Ara Damansara, Selangor, to host OKU Sentral's Drive-through Vaccination Centre dedicated to persons with disabilities and their caregivers. About 13,500 eligible recipients have registered for the programme. A total of 7,255 doses have already been administered as of 23 July 2021.

To ensure full understanding and consent to being vaccinated, SDP has reached out to its workers to explain the entire vaccination process and to stress that it is entirely voluntary. This involved a series of communications with both local and migrant workers in their respective native languages. For SDP, this included an extensive exercise in the native languages of workers from several Asian countries including Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia and Pakistan. SDP also continues to work closely with the respective Embassies to help workers raise any concerns or questions regarding the vaccination process with their government representatives.

The Tennamaram PPVIN Centre is being set up with the guidance and assistance of all related government agencies, including the COVID-19 Immunisation Taskforce (CITF), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Health, ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn. Bhd., MPIC and MPOA.

All standard operating procedures (SOP) and protocols are in place throughout the PPVIN centre to safeguard both the front liners and the vaccine recipients. Additionally, vaccine recipients will undergo temperature checks before they board their buses. All the buses will run at 50% capacity with strict social distancing requirements in place. Throughout the process, workers will be required to wear face masks and to sanitise their hands regularly.

In addition to running its newly launched ‘Kami Prihatin’ nation-wide campaign to provide food and essential items baskets as well as job opportunities to Malaysians in need, SDP plans to set up more PPVIN centres at its operations in other states over the next few weeks. The Company has also encouraged its workforce in operations outside Malaysia to participate in similar national vaccination programmes, where available. All SDP's operations globally are observing national and operational level health and safety procedures.

The Group registered strong results for 1H FY2021 with all operating segments
recording improved performance

Kuala Lumpur, 18 August 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SD Plantation) recorded a significantly higher profit before interest and tax (PBIT) of RM938 million and net profit of RM617 million for the second quarter of its financial year ending 31 December 2021 (2Q FY2021). This represents an increase of 71% and 63% respectively, compared to the previous corresponding period. The strong 2Q FY2021 performance contributed to the Group’s PBIT of RM1.73 billion and net profit of RM1.18 billion for the six months ended 30 June 2021 (1H FY2021), an increase of 45% and 39% respectively from previous year. The Group’s overall improvement in profit was attributable to higher realised crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) prices, as well as an increase in fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production.

Kuala Lumpur, 18 August 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SD Plantation) recorded a significantly higher profit before interest and tax (PBIT) of RM938 million and net profit of RM617 million for the second quarter of its financial year ending 31 December 2021 (2Q FY2021). This represents an increase of 71% and 63% respectively, compared to the previous corresponding period. The strong 2Q FY2021 performance contributed to the Group’s PBIT of RM1.73 billion and net profit of RM1.18 billion for the six months ended 30 June 2021 (1H FY2021), an increase of 45% and 39% respectively from previous year. The Group’s overall improvement in profit was attributable to higher realised crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) prices, as well as an increase in fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production.

Sime Darby Oils, the Group’s Downstream segment, also doubled its PBIT to RM253 million in 1H FY2021 as compared to RM113 million in the previous corresponding period, primarily attributable to improved sales volumes and margins in Asia Pacific. 

Key Highlights

• 2Q FY2021: Higher YoY palm prices and OER have more than compensated for the marginally lower FFB production.
• 1H FY2021: The Group recorded a higher PBIT despite a reduction in profits from disposal of non-core assets (1HFY2021: RM125 million vs 1HFY2020:RM459 million).

Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Haji Megat Najmuddin bin Datuk Seri Dr Haji Megat Khas said,
“The Group is on track to achieve its financial targets for the financial year 2021, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and the national level lockdown. In view of the persistently high Covid-19 cases in the Country, it is vital that we continue to remain vigilant and safeguard our employees. Sime Darby Plantation is actively collaborating with various government agencies to help in the ramping up of the nation’s vaccination drive. To date, we have set up three industrial vaccination centres (PPVIN) for the plantation industry in the states of Sarawak and Selangor. More than 10,500 workers will be inoculated in these centres. We are also looking at setting up more centres in our operations across the country.”

Group Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said,
”The Group has performed well, despite the numerous challenges of the current environment, ranging from labour shortages to the Withhold Release Order imposed by the US Customs and Border Protection on our Malaysian products. The Board and Management are focused on protecting shareholder value and building on our strong foundation, while finding new solutions, to effect and implement the necessary improvements.

“We are also conscious of the fact that the pandemic has resulted in rising unemployment in Malaysia. We are fortunate to be in a position to help, and have launched campaigns to reach out to Malaysians who are seeking stable employment which comes with housing benefits among estate families and communities.”

OUTLOOK FOR REMAINING FY2021:
The Group expects its Indonesia and Papua New Guinea operations to register higher FFB production this year supported by better weather conditions. This is expected to mitigate the impact of the prolonged labour shortages at its Malaysia plantations. Thus, FFB production for the financial year 2021 is expected to remain comparable to FY2020. With the continued impact of labour shortages on Malaysia’s CPO production as well as tight global vegetable oil inventory levels, the Group expects prices to remain firm.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, SD Plantation expects its performance for the financial year ending 31 December 2021 to be promising.

ABOUT SIME DARBY PLANTATION

Sime Darby Plantation is the world's largest producer of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO), with a production of 2.097 million MT (as of 31 December 2020).

As a fully integrated global plantation company, SDP is involved in various activities along the full spectrum of the palm oil value chain, including upstream and downstream operations, Research & Development, renewables as well as agri-business. Its upstream operations are spread across Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Its downstream business, also known as Sime Darby Oils, spans across 14 countries worldwide and involves the trading, manufacturing, as well as the sales and marketing of refined oils and fats products, oleochemicals, palm oil-based biodiesel, nutraceuticals and other palm oil derivatives.

With a workforce of about 85,000 employees and a strong focus on operational excellence, research, innovation and sustainability, Sime Darby Plantation is one of the largest companies on Bursa Malaysia, with a market capitalisation of RM25.86bn (USD6.10bn) as of 17 August 2021. 

Petaling Jaya, 26 August 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) and its philanthropic arm, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), are providing 51 units of urgently needed ventilators to 12 general hospitals in the Klang Valley and Seremban. This will support the Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force (GKVSTF) following its appeal for assistance for the public health services in the country. SDP and YSD are contributing RM2.5 million each for the purchase of the ventilators as well as 5000 units of oximeters. Delivery of the ventilators has started since 20 August 2021 and is targeted to be completed by mid-September 2021.

This contribution to GKVSTF is the latest collaboration between SDP and YSD in COVID-19 related initiatives. In fact, SDP has donated 50%, or approximately RM10 million, of the funds used by YSD in their COVID-19 emergency relief work amounting to over RM20 million since 2020. Additionally, SDP has hosted a drive-through vaccination centre for the disabled community and their caregivers at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya. The Company also recently launched a campaign to provide food aid and essential items to those in need. Through the campaign, SDP also offers job opportunities which come with free housing to attract locals who are looking for an employment reset that will allow them to stabilise their lives and livelihoods. YSD has been an instrumental programme partner in ensuring the success of all these initiatives.

"As a responsible corporate citizen, we stepped up to offer help and support at this time of great need. We are doing our best to ensure that our communities and employees are protected as we traverse these uncharted waters together," said Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, SDP's Group Managing Director.

GKVSTF, led by the Ministry of Health Deputy Director General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong, was formed in July 2021 to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the Greater Klang Valley area, which includes Selangor, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan. The general hospitals that will be receiving the ventilators are Hospital Ampang, Hospital Kajang, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Selayang, Hospital Serdang, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM and Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar in Seremban.

"Hospitals in the Greater Klang Valley have been stretched over the last several months, with more cases than there are beds, critical equipment and staff. We stepped up because these contributions from SDP and YSD can save lives," Mohamad Helmy said. "It is important that we do our best where we can to support our public health services and the national recovery effort."

Since March 2020, and in addition to its donation to YSD's COVID-19 emergency relief fund, SDP has contributed over RM7 million towards COVID-19 related CSR initiatives. The amount comprises contributions and initiatives to support the vaccination drive as well as provide aid and assistance to communities and hospitals in SDP's three major countries of operations – Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. To date, SDP has set up three industrial vaccination centres (PPVIN) for plantation workers in the states of Sarawak and Selangor in Malaysia and is looking to open up more centres in other states in the country.

"As our largest donor, Sime Darby Plantation is responsible for YSD's ability to do good work for our society. On top of that, they also take it upon themselves to do even more to help the nation during these unprecedented times. YSD is certainly pleased to once again be partnering with Sime Darby Plantation, and this time in supporting the Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force where the need is especially crucial in addressing the nation's fight against COVID-19," said Dr Hjh. Yatela Zainal Abidin, YSD's Chief Executive Officer.

Petaling Jaya, 21 October 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Renewable Energy Sdn Bhd (SDPRE), plans to develop two new biogas power plants with the largest grid-connected Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) biogas developer in Malaysia, Cenergi RE Sdn Bhd (Cenergi), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cenergi SEA Berhad. SDPRE, a subsidiary of Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP), signed a Term Sheet with Cenergi on 9 October 2021 to co-develop the plants in SDP's Malaysia operations at the Sungai Dingin estate in Kedah and Kok Foh estate in Negeri Sembilan. To date, Cenergi has developed three biogas power plants for SDP's palm oil mills which are currently operational, while two others are under construction with targeted completion in November 2021 and mid-2022.

SDP's Group Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, said: "Sime Darby Plantation has been energetically pursuing renewable energy solutions in order to meet our emission reduction targets. This latest partnership will accelerate our progress and we are well on track to reach our reduction target of 40% by 2030."

To add further, Cenergi SEA Berhad's Group Chief Executive Officer, Hairol Azizi Tajudin highlighted that: "To date, Cenergi has exported a total of 280 GWh of renewable energy to the national grid, equivalent to 217,000 homes' electricity consumption for a year, and avoided carbon emission of over 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which is comparable to carbon emission of 260,000 passenger vehicles on the road for a year. Moving forward, Cenergi plans to realise these two projects that both parties are co-developing and to also collaborate on other renewable energy initiatives, that would contribute towards SDP's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction target".

Besides the two new plants, SDP has 11 biogas plants across its operations in Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and another nine are scheduled to be up and running in 2022. By 2030, SDP aims to have a total of 31 biogas plants. "To date, we have already achieved a relative carbon emission reduction of 18% through biogas initiatives alone. With the current biogas plan we are putting in place, we are expecting to achieve an estimated total of 28% reduction by the end of 2022," said Mohamad Helmy.

The Biogas plants will capture methane, a high-impact GHG which is a by-product of POME stored in anaerobic wastewater treatment ponds in palm oil operations. Methane released from POME is the single largest emission source in palm oil operations, contributing to 69% of total emissions.

In Malaysia, SDP has five operational biogas power plants connected to the national grid, with a combined capacity of 7.3MWe. SDP has also developed two captive-power biogas power plants in its Merotai and Sandakan Bay estates in Sabah, each with 1MW capacity, generating electricity for its internal use, and to further reduce secondary emissions from diesel consumption.

Apart from biogas, SDP is also pursuing solar, biomass and water recycling solutions through various partnerships as well as investing in nature-based solutions to increase its carbon sink as part of its carbon management strategy. One of its nature-based solutions is the planting of trees on a large scale. Over the last 12 years, SDP has planted over 1.5 million trees and plans to double this number over the next five years.

Plantation giant chalks up RM1.79 billion net profit in nine months

Petaling Jaya, 18 November 2021 – For the third quarter of its financial year ending 31 December 2021 (3Q FY2021), Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SD Plantation) almost tripled its profit before interest and tax (PBIT) to RM925 million from RM332 million in the previous corresponding quarter. Net profit more than tripled from RM190 million in 3Q FY2020 to RM610 million in 3Q FY2021. This translated to an outstanding performance for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2021 (9M FY2021), as the Group recorded a PBIT of RM2.65 billion and net profit of RM1.79 billion, representing a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 74% and 73% respectively.

Higher realised crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) prices compensated for the decline in fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production in its Malaysian operations.

In 3Q FY2021, the Group’s Upstream segment recorded a PBIT of RM913 million, 234% more than the previous corresponding period’s PBIT of RM273 million. During the period under review, realised CPO and PK prices increased by 51% and 66% respectively, to an average of RM3,770 and RM2,274 per metric tonne (MT). The Group’s oil extraction rate (OER) improved to 21.59% from 21.27% in the previous corresponding quarter.

The Group’s Downstream segment, Sime Darby Oils, faced a challenging quarter as its PBIT declined to RM7 million from RM71 million in the previous year mainly attributable to lower profits generated by its Asia Pacific operations.

Key Highlights

• 3Q FY2021: Continued upward trend in YoY palm prices and higher OER more than compensated for the lower FFB production.
• 9M FY2021: The Group’s net profit from continuing operations almost doubled to RM1.84 billion from RM962 million in the previous corresponding period supported by higher recurring profits contributed by all segments.

Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Haji Megat Najmuddin bin Datuk Seri Dr Haji Megat Khas said:
“We are delighted that the Group is on track for a strong close to FY2021. While high CPO price is certainly a boon for the whole industry, Sime Darby Plantation also owes our strong performance to the management team and our employees across the world who delivered tremendous value in spite of numerous challenges. The improving situation of COVID-19 globally augurs well for industries and businesses everywhere, and the Group will continue to count on the support of our valued team as we prepare to leverage on the anticipated economic recovery ahead.”

Group Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, said:
”The last twenty one months have challenged us, with the acute labour shortage, which was compounded by restrictions on movement. Thus, the Group welcomes the decision by the government to allow the industry to recruit foreign workers again.

The pandemic has certainly put a spotlight on the critical need to accelerate the mechanisation, automation and digitalisation of plantation operations, to reduce dependence on manual labour. Sime Darby Plantation is spearheading this reinvention of plantation operations and will continue to ramp up our efforts to transform the nature of work in plantations.

At the heart of all our efforts is the well-being of our people. We are determined to make plantations work less arduous, but more efficient and productive for our workers. We are also intensifying our efforts to recruit more local workers. As we progress further with our mechanisation initiatives, we expect to attract more Malaysians who are highly skilled.”

OUTLOOK FOR REMAINING FY2021
The Group expects palm oil prices to remain elevated at least until the end of the year before a possible downward adjustment in 2Q 2022 when supplies are anticipated to improve. The high prices will help compensate for the impact of labour shortages on the Group’s Malaysian Upstream production. The Group expects demand to remain strong as more countries ease their COVID-19 restrictions, bringing back earlier suppressed demand.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Group expects an overall strong financial year performance for 2021.