Straits Energy sets Malaysia record with 12,275 Gelam trees planted in a day

KUALA LUMPUR: Straits Energy Resources Bhd, through its subsidiary Benua Hijau Sdn Bhd, has officially entered the Malaysia Book of Records for the nation’s largest Melaleuca cajuputi tree planting event, with 12,275 Pokok Gelam saplings planted in a single day.

In a statement, Straits Energy said the milestone forms part of Benua Hijau’s multi-year reforestation initiative to restore degraded forest areas in the Setiu Wetlands State Park, one of the largest natural wetlands on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

The project targets the planting of 100,000 Pokok Gelam trees over five years to rehabilitate 200 acres of degraded forest using the indigenous Melaleuca species.

The record-setting event, held during the Festival Setiu Wetlands 2025, was supported by Straits Energy Resources Bhd and its NYSE American-listed unit TMD Energy Ltd, and organised by the Terengganu State Parks Management Council to raise awareness of the wetlands.

Straits Energy said nearly 500 volunteers from the local community, educational institutions, NGOs and government agencies took part in planting activities across 20 acres of degraded wetland, an area equivalent to 11 soccer fields.

Chairman Datuk Seri Tengku Baharuddin Ibni Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah said that since the launch of the Gelam Research Centre & Nursery in October 2024, more than 7,800 trees have been planted by students and community volunteers.

“With today’s planting of 12,275 saplings, Benua Hijau is well on track to meet its target of planting 20,000 Gelam trees every year.

“This achievement will serve as a catalyst for us to go forward and continue advancing this large-scale reforestation project. Our vision is for a successful public-private partnership that will demonstrates effective collaboration between government bodies, corporations, and communities in achieving long-term environmental and social impact,” he said.