AW JANFEB 2018

WORLD NEWS
Heineken installs rainwater harvesting
systems in Malaysia
Source: NST
In line with its global sustainability strategy of ‘Brewing
a Better World’, Heineken Malaysia Berhad in
collaboration with Kupikupifm have installed rainwaterharvesting
systems at three centres in Sabah: Balai Raya
Koidupan, Dewan Nagashiba in Penampang and Balai
Raya Kampung Pinawantai in Kudat. This initiative will
positively impact the lives of more than 2,300 people
within the communities.
Elaborating on the company’s approach to the
initiative, Shagivarnam Ratnam, Head of Corporate
Affairs, Heineken Malaysia, said: “We are as passionate
about the quality of our products as we are about the
communities and environment that surrounds us. The
rainwater-harvesting project we are presenting today is
a step forward in our commitment in Sabah, in the area
of water conservation. Through this system, we are able
to increase access to clean water for the communities
in these areas”
The company aims to empower communities to
conserve water by providing them with an alternative
source of potable water. The systems installed at the
respective communities consist of two 800 gallons water
tanks with a maximum storage capacity of over 6,000
litres enabling potential savings of more than to 100,000
gallons of water annually.
“Today’s launch is just the first step in our efforts to grow
with the communities here
in Sabah and to protect
water resources in East
Malaysia. Stemming from
this success, we are excited
to announce that 2018 will
see us expand upon this
initiative to reach out to
even more communities
within the state,” Mr
Shagivarnam added.
Speaking at the
launch, guest of honour,
Yang Berbahagia Datuk
Francis Goh, Division Head
of MCA Penampang,
said, “This collaboration
demonstrates the power
of smart partnerships and
it is important that other
organisation emulate this
way of working for the
benefit of developing
local communities through
meaningful initiatives.”
Utilising pre-existing roofs as catchments for rainwater,
the systems employ a two-stage filtration system to ensure
clean and potable water for the communities that can
be used in a variety of daily activities including cleaning,
washing clothes, cooking and drinking. The rainwater
harvesting systems will also function as a secure backup
in the event of water scarcity and aid in decreasing
stormwater runoff, thereby helping to reduce local
flooding.
Commenting on their involvement in the initiative,
Lester Calvin Miol, Programme Manager, Kupikupifm,
said: “As a Sabah-based organisation, we are steadfast
in our commitment to the communities here. We have
a growing track record of aiding the local communities
through innovative and impactful initiatives and are
proud to have partnered with Heineken Malaysia to
successfully implement this rainwater harvesting initiative
and bring greater access to water to the communities
here.”
In the past, Heineken Malaysia, through the flagship
W.A.T.E.R (Working Actively Through Education and
Rehabilitation) Project, adopted five rivers, invested close
to RM7 million, and successfully reached out to over
25, 000 Malaysians since 2010. AW
6 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 Asian Water