KUALA LUMPUR – PLUS Malaysia Sdn Bhd has released its inaugural voluntary Sustainability Report 2020, displaying the various steps it is taking for the good of the environment and society.
The report, launched by PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail, covers all of the company’s operations managing more than 1,130km of highways, including the 772km North-South Expressway that snakes from Bukit Kayu Hitam near the border with Thailand to Johor Baru.
“This report shares our progress towards achieving our sustainability aspirations, where we share various sustainability-driven initiatives we have undertaken and built upon our sustainability agenda for the future,” PLUS chairman Datuk Mohamad Nasir Ab Latif said in the report.
“I must emphasise that one of our key corporate values is ‘Taking Good Care of You, Every Step of the Way’, which forms not only the creed of our day-to-day operations but also ensures that we contribute to sustainable development in Malaysia.”
With regard to PLUS’ environmental efforts so far, one of its main successes is reducing emissions at their Persada PLUS headquarters in Petaling Jaya.
Based on the report, the effort has been equivalent to saving 7,170 trees and 667 barrels of oil.
Due to a combination of energy-saving measures as well as the use of renewable energy, PLUS recorded a 25% reduction in energy consumption from its 2016 baseline assessment, equivalent to saving 2,170 megawatt-hour (MWh) at the end of last year.
This reduction of energy consumption was achieved by performing LED retrofitting, having “variable frequency drive” for its main air-conditioning system, undertaking a de-lamping exercise, as well as installing solar photovoltaic energy systems at its premises.
The efforts in making its main office more sustainable did not go unnoticed, as evidenced by awards the company won last year.
The company’s achievements last year include being runner-up in the Energy Management of Large Building Category at the Asean Energy Awards 2020.
This award recognises the company’s initiative in implementing energy-saving measures in the Persada PLUS building.
Similarly, its focus on environmental sustainability also resulted in PLUS winning an award under the Energy Management (Large Building), Energy Efficiency Category by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.
Based on the report, PLUS nabbed the win in this category by lowering its annual energy consumption by 15% in 2019 compared with its 2016 baseline.
But the company’s list of awards is not limited to its environmental efforts.
Last year, the company was hailed as the Best Performing Closed Toll Highway for the North-South Expressway and also won 2nd Best Performing Closed Closed Toll Highway for the Elite Highway by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros).
These awards were given to PLUS not only for the optimal environmental design but also for its efforts towards road safety systems, which reduce the rate of fatal accidents and serious injuries. – The Vibes, July 1, 2021
