Our approach to CSR has always been to back the communities where our customers and employees live and work. We believe strong communities enable people and businesses to thrive, and we do this by investing financial and human resources in ways that address the social, environmental and economic needs of our communities, customers, employees, shareholders and partners.
Our business initiatives and programs are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG #14 – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
In Malaysia, our CSR focus and efforts are centered on the preservation of our marine ecosystems. American Express is committed to raising awareness on the impact of marine plastic pollution. In addition, we are doing our part to care for the oceans, coastal communities, and life under water. This has taken us to various parts of the country, east and west coast alike. At every location, we hope we have left beaches and reefs cleaner, saved endangered species while preserving the current ecosystem for future marine life.
We actively engage our employee volunteers and work with NGOs to restore coral reefs through building artificial reef blocks and placing them in the ocean’s bed at islands like Perhentian and Tioman. We have also undertaken initiatives in Cherating, cleaning up beaches that are home to turtle nesting and support turtle conservation.
In 2019, we embarked on a ‘Reef Rescue’ initiative where our employee volunteers worked to restore the coral ecosystem around one of Malaysia’s most beautiful islands, Perhentian Island in Terengganu which was under threat from increased marine pollution, decreasing marine life and the destruction of natural habitats. In partnership with a local NGO, Fuze Ecoteer, with dive centers, American Express employee volunteers built 53 bottles of reef blocks that overtime will be maintained and protected for coral growth. These reef blocks comprise of 5-6 glass bottles were planted in a 0.33m x 0.22m x 0.15m mold, filled with concrete, and left for 24 hours to set and harden.
Our team of divers (yes, a group of our employee volunteers!) then took to the waters to carefully place these blocks and fastened naturally broken coral fragments to these structures for them to attach to and begin their growth cycle. This becomes the starting point of an artificial reef consisting of bottle reef blocks, coral pyramids and nurseries that will stretch from the village’s South Beach to Petani Beach and will hopefully be the beginning of many more such conservation drives around these islands.
We also embarked on mangrove restoration projects in Kuala Selangor and Malacca as they play crucial roles in the protection of our coastal areas. To-date, we have committed over 4,500 volunteer hours, collected 4.5 tons of rubbish, planted more than 650 mangrove trees, released close to 400 turtle hatchlings, and built artificial reefs that will continue to grow.
These initiatives were planned and driven by passionate and committed employee volunteers of American Express Malaysia in partnership with local NGOs with the intention to foster collaboration as we look forward to make a difference and inspire change with positive impacts for many years to come.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our members and friends Selamat Hari Raya! It’s unfortunate that we’re once again under the restricted movements of MCO 3.0 for the holidays but I truly hope that despite the rising numbers, you will have a warm celebration and most importantly, stay safe. Minimizing all movements will help bring the infection rate down and relieve the already stressed healthcare workers.
We hope that our companies are taking full advantage of reaching out electronically. Don’t forget to take advantage of our Member’s Only Hari Raya 15% discount on all advertisements. Book your slot with Yvonne Miranda at [email protected] before the promotion ends on Monday, 17 May.
A quick update, the Chamber has been very busy actively engaging with the government to try and provide more clarity and information to you, our members. MITI has been an excellent partner along with Immigration as we sort through details from various sectors.I hope that you still enjoy the daily updates and if you have any suggestions on areas we could include please do let us know. Please also note our Monthly Members Briefing is held every 1st Wednesday of each month.
Our 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) is coming up on 15 June. We are hoping that the MCO will be lifted by then and that the traditional luncheon that follows will be allowed to happen as YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation has kindly agreed to join us for this signature program. We will naturally follow the protocols of the day but we are keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll be able to proceed with the hybrid AGM and a limited seating program where our members can be kept safe by practicing strict SOPs.
The vaccine roll-out, while slower than we would all probably like is underway and matching the pace of supplies of the approved vaccines. The most we can do is to ensure our staff and colleagues are kept aware of the efficacy of vaccines and be encouraged that a vaccine can help them stave off a severe reaction to any infection. AMCHAM encourages everyone to register on MySejahtera if they have not already and, if they are medically able, to get vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them.
Your long-anticipated 2021 Membership Directory will be sent to you very soon. Special thanks to all the companies that placed an advertisement with us, your support is much appreciated especially during this time when we have limited resources. Please take 5 minutes to update your profile, add a picture, update changes in your designation. If you don’t know how or have not updated your information with us for a while, please reach out to Kevin Roch immediately at [email protected] to update your records; if not, we will proceed to print with what we have in our system. If your company has changed its logo recently – please ensure we have the right one!
Selamat Hari Raya! Stay safe and we hope to see you soon.
Siobhan Das
Chief Executive Officer
Exclusive stay offer for AMCHAM Members in a Suite room inclusive of breakfast, carpark, WIFI, In-suite minibar with selected non-alcoholic beverages
Validity : Immediate till 31 May, 2021
Make your bookings here
Make it a memorable feast at home with your loved ones with intricately curated Hidangan Hari Raya from Serena Brasserie!
Choose from 3 set menus, priced at RM88nett per set
*Delivery charges apply
Order from https://
While you are staying safely at home, our kitchens are always open to keep your appetite company. Enjoy FREE DELIVERY within Kuala Lumpur when you spend a minimum of MYR 150 on our Online Store! For AMCHAM members, Apply code “FREEDEL” upon check-out. Terms and conditions apply.
Place your order here
Terms & Conditions:
- Promo is valid for addresses within Kuala Lumpur region only.
- Applicable to the first 300 food orders with a minimum spend of MYR 150 on food and / or flowers.
- Minimum spend refers to the total cart spend of any available item from Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur Online Store, EXCEPT for ‘HYdeout’ and ‘e-Vouchers’ categories.
- Other terms and conditions may apply.
“Nothing unites us Malaysians more than hearing ‘makan time’!”
This Hari Raya, in collaboration with Celebrity Chef Dato’ Fazley Yaakob, we present Malaysian childhood favourites that are best enjoyed in the company of family and close friends, whether around the dining table or over video calls. To order, please visit https://bit.ly/FourSeasonsDelivery
