Nestlé Malaysia Partners with UMT and LKIM to Protect the Ocean and Support Terengganu Fishermen

 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. 

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 approximately 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. 

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.