PETALING JAYA, 2 October 2025 – Two community groups from Selangor and Perak have each been awarded RM20,000 grants under cycle 1 of the recently-launched Zainudin Ismail GEC Community Impact Grant (ZIGCIG). This is an initiative by the Global Environment Centre to empower grassroots action for community-based environmental restoration and sustainable resource management.
The grant was established in April this year to honour the memory and legacy of GEC’s Founding Chairman Allahyarham Tuan Haji Zainudin Ismail, who passed away on 10 December 2023. It supports medium- to long-term efforts in their local sustainable natural resource and environmental management, by GEC’s existing community partners.
A total of 21 proposals were received from Malaysia and Indonesia, and after thorough assessment and screening by the Secretariat and Advisory Committee members, two community groups were selected to receive grants for projects spanning one year as follows:
- Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau Kampung Dato’ Hormat (SHBKDH) in Sabak Bernam, Selangor, will use the grant for mangrove restoration initiatives, including awareness programmes with local communities and the planting of 1,000 mangrove trees at degraded sites to reduce coastal and riverbank erosion.
- Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) Sungai Terap in Batu Gajah, Ipoh, Perak, who will implement a river adoption project involving riverbank cleanup and beautification, community garden enhancement, river monitoring, composting and recycling activities.
A Grand Award Ceremony for the grantees was held at Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s (DID) Pusat Informasi Sungai Penchala in conjunction with World Rivers Day, celebrated globally on 28 September 2025. The ceremony marked the official launch of the first cycle of the grant.
More than 30 participants attended the ceremony, including Members of GEC Board and Advisory Council, ZIGCIG Advisory Committee, GEC Management team and selected stakeholder and community representatives.
ZIGCIG Advisory Committee Chair, YBhg Dato’ Dr. Ir. Lim Chow Hock said, “One of the key objectives of this grant is to provide seed funds for active community groups to initiate or expand their local environmental management. The two selected projects contribute to two important landscapes which are mangroves and rivers, vital to the sustainability of both people and nature. Mangroves act as natural coastal buffer, reduce erosion and provide breeding grounds for marine life, while rivers supply water, food and livelihoods, and sustain freshwater ecosystems.” Lim is also a member of GEC’s Advisory Council.
Meanwhile, GEC Chairperson, YBhg Dato’ Halimah Hassan said, “Allahyarham Tuan Haji Zainudin Ismail had faithfully served as Chairman of GEC for 25 years since its establishment in 1998 with a strong focus on driving community initiatives. This grant not only honours his legacy but also affirms our commitment to empowering local communities to take the lead in caring for their environment.”
The ceremony concluded with a tour of exhibition booths hosted by both grant recipients SHBKDH and KRT Sungai Terap, and showcased other initiatives supported by GEC.
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