SHELL Malaysia has launched its corporate calendar for 2006 with an environmental conservation theme.
The company partnered the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in Kepong to raise awareness towards the conservation and sustainable management of Malaysia’s 150 million-year-old tropical rainforests.

The central theme for its 2006 corporate calendar is "Seeds of Life: The Sustainable Future of Our Rainforests".

The calendar launch was held recently in Kuala Lumpur and was hosted by Shell Malaysia chairman Datuk Jon Chadwick, who said that "it may take centuries for a seed to grow into a mature tree in the rainforests, but it only takes a moment for man to destroy this tree.

"Shell hopes that this year’s calendar will remind us of this fragility and the need to ensure the sustainable future of Malaysia’s rainforests."

PICTURE: Chadwick launching Shell’s 2006 corporate calendar.

Since the 1970s, Shell Malaysia has used its corporate calendar as a medium to promote greater awareness of Malaysia’s heritage, including rare flora and endangered fauna, traditional crafts, architecture, indigenous costumes and ethnic folklore.

"Shell is very concerned with promoting and preserving Malaysia’s rich cultural traditions and diverse, natural resources. This has a great deal to do with being and feeling very much a part of Malaysia, having grown with the nation for over 100 years. They have a lot to do with a social responsibility to contribute to more than just the nation’s economic well-being, but also to its national identity, social development and environmental sustainability.

"By means of our calendars over the years, and thanks to artists working on a variety of mediums from woodcut to silkscreen, from oils to etchings, and photography, we have showcased some of the treasures of this country’s natural heritage."

He said Shell Malaysia invested in a number of environmental conservation programmes with government and non-governmental organisations to help protect and preserve the planet’s natural environment and resources.

"Every business project that the company implements takes into consideration its impact on the environment and on society" he said.

Chadwick also highlighted that Shell Malaysia believes that the quality of life must be sustainable for generations to come.

For the 2006 timepiece, Shell worked with FRIM to showcase six photographs of seeds representing well-known species of trees that characterise the diversity of Malaysia’s ancient rainforests.

These seeds, as recognised by their Malay names, are from the kembang semangkok jantong, gerutu pasir, meranti pipit, keruing belimbing, saga daun tumpul and kelumpung jari.

Kembang semangkok jantong seeds are used traditionally to treat ailments such as asthma, dysentery and diarrhoea. The sour gel from the seeds is also used in drinks and beverages.

The fruits of the gerutu pasir emerge briefly every two to five years.

This sustainable timber species is found in the highland and lowland forests of Peninsular Malaysia.

Meranti pipit, a lowland tree, is harvested for timber and at 55 metres, is far from tiny although it has tiny leaves. Five wings in all cover and carry its wind-borne fruits.

Keruing belimbing, one of Malaysia’s most evergreen rainforest trees, can be found up to altitudes of 600 metres and is harvested for pulp and for its oleoresin and adhesive properties.

The seeds of the saga daun tumpul have been used as toys, jewellery and food by generations of Malaysians. Saga seeds were once used to weigh gold and diamonds because of their consistent weight.

The fruits of the deciduous kelumpung jari take 11 months to ripen after its flowers bloom. Edible oils can be extracted from the kernel. Its more famous relatives include the cocoa and cola plants.

Meanwhile, Gastrodome, a household name in the food and beverage industry and parent company to La Bodega, Telawi Street Bistro and Ozmosis, recently also launched its 2006 calendar at the Bangsar Shopping Centre, the latest home to its tapas outlet.

While the Gastrodome calendar has been a popular item for both patrons and supporters, the latest design has incorporated a line-up of local celebrities and a host of sponsors for each month.

The design has changed from the standard desk-top size, and instead features a visually stunning 23in x 21in prints photographed by renowned photographer Paul Gadd.

The prints can be used for wall calendars with one celebrity per month in unusual poses with the sponsors’ products, including Bangsar Shopping Centre as one of the sponsors.

More importantly, Gastrodome has pledged to donate 100 per cent of the sum collected from the sale of the calendars to Home of Peace, a registered welfare home for young girls disadvantaged by poverty.

"For the 2006 calendar we decided to make it big, in more than one sense! A limited edition of just 2,000 calendars is printed, and our aim is to raise at least RM100,000 for the Home of Peace," said Gastrodome managing director Edward Hyde.

The large prints of the calendar were showcased at the launch, and to mark the good cause of the occasion, a simple signing ceremony was held between Hyde and Home of Peace representative Justine Morais.

The calendar has been on sale since Dec 27 at Gastrodome outlets. The public can purchase the calendars at RM60 each, the minimum donation.

Among the celebrities featured are Ida Nerina, Paula Malai Ali, Harith Iskandar and Sean Ghazi. Those who attended the launch were Harith Iskandar, Jo Jo, Chelsia, Sean Ghazi, Paula Malai Ali and Gloria Ting.