Manjung, Malaysia – The Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vale Malaysia Minerals Sdn Bhd (Vale) today, initiating a sustainable development project in the district with an investment of RM5.6 million.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative, set to run from this year until 2025, includes financing the Urban Community Garden (KKB) project in seven Rukun Tetangga (RKT) areas, allocating RM600,000 for this purpose in Manjung. The project also aims to enhance the tourism sector by upgrading public facilities, constructing art objects, mural painting, and street art, especially in Teluk Batik Beach and the small town of Beruas, with RM250,000 dedicated to each location.

Syamsul Hazeman highlighted additional projects, including a doodle art street in Manjung’s old town area and a run in Beruas, alongside educational and community-based programs. He noted that Vale’s previous corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts were limited to the Seri Manjung area, but with this MoU, Vale has committed to expanding its CSR initiatives to the entire Manjung and Beruas districts.

The MoU was signed by Syamsul Hazeman for MPM and Leonardo Paiva, Vale’s CEO in Malaysia. The ceremony was witnessed by State Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching.

Furthermore, Syamsul Hazeman mentioned that selecting Beruas as a pilot location allows MPM to give a ‘new touch’ to the town, particularly to its century-old shophouse buildings, enhancing their appeal to both locals and tourists.

In his speech, Paiva expressed Vale’s enthusiasm for the partnership with MPM, aiming to boost the district’s vibrancy through community-focused projects. He highlighted Vale’s commitment to sustainable development, having invested over RM70 million in social programmes in Manjung since starting operations in Malaysia in 2012, with a special emphasis on improving the lives of communities near its operational site in Teluk Rubiah, Manjung.