By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Yayasan Petronas contributed 30 satellite tracking units to the Marine Research Foundation (MRF) in support of marine biodiversity conservation in Sabah.
The units were handed over by its chief executive officer, Nelly Shariah Francis, to MRF’s principal programme officer, Liyana Izwin Khalid, during Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) breaking-of-fast event held at a hotel.
The handover was witnessed by Sabah State Secretary, Datuk Seri Safar Untong; Petronas senior vice president, Malaysia Petroleum Management Datuk Bacho Pilong; and general manager of Petronas Sabah and Labuan regional office Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab.
The devices will be deployed on 10 green turtles and 20 hawksbill turtles across key sites including Gulisan and Selingan Islands (Turtle Islands Park), Lankayan Island, Sipadan Island, and Pom Pom Island.
It will be used to map critical seagrass and coral reef habitats, with the data supporting long-term conservation planning and national marine protection efforts.
During the event, Nelly also handed over food packs to selected recipients from Putatan and Papar under its uplifting lives festive programme.
The programme is set to benefit 300 households across Sabah, with 120 packs districted each in Putatan and Papar and 60 in Tenom.
The programme is part of Yayasan Petronas’ broader social impact initiatives, which aim to enhance community well-being, support education, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen resilience.
It also advances socio-economic opportunities and contributes to the long-term development of communities across Sabah.
Nelly (second left), hands over a marine tracking device contribution to Liyana (second right), as guests look on.
