Terengganu, Malaysia - With the aim to protect and preserve the nature of Redang Island, the annual ‘Redang Clean-Up Day’ is organized by Berjaya Redang Beach Resort from 14 to 16 September 2007.

Endorsed by PADI Project AWARE (dive industry’s leading non-profit organisation), Malaysian Sport Diving Association (MSDA) and supported by Tourism Malaysia, the three-day event aims to cultivate and promote the importance of preserving and protecting the environment and ecological systems of Redang Island for the benefits of the future generation.

Sharing the same objective, Berjaya Redang Beach Resort together with Sony Malaysia Sdn Bhd are exercising its role as socially responsible corporate citizens of Malaysia by taking steps further to nurture these conservation efforts to help maintain a harmonious balance between nature and human activities.

“Participating in the Redang Clean-up Day can help spread the important message of environment conservation and initiate an effort to get people to start taking care about our surroundings. It is crucial to take action in preserving our environment and spread awareness on the issue”, said Mr. Michael Tan, Resident Manager, Berjaya Redang Beach Resort.

“Sony Malaysia demonstrates a position of leadership as a socially responsible business. Through this engagement, we share our experiences and build relationships with other companies and government bodies. We are also able to influence other businesses to organise a clean up of their own in a fun and enjoyable manner, said Mr. Naoi Sudo, Managing Director of Sony Malaysia.

Sony believes that through environmental conservation activities, it can create a fun learning experience for all while promoting the awareness to preserve the seas and endangered marine lives. It is a simple way to encourage participation while instilling green awareness, thereby, progressively educating people to protect the natural treasures.

The clean-up exercise is divided into two categories i.e land clean-up and underwater clean-up. This year, Berjaya Redang Beach Resort is expecting more than 150 participants from local and regional to lend helping hands to remove the ‘crown-of-thorns’ starfish (Acanthaster planci) from the coral reefs. The ‘crown-of-thorns’ starfish is a coral reef predator; red-coloured with thorn-like spines sprouting all over its body and is deemed partly responsible for the much loss of coral reefs.

Other event highlights include:
a) Talks on “Marine Turtles Conservation Efforts in Redang Island”
Talks will be presented by Professor Chan Eng Heng from University Malaysia Terengganu, the receiver of United Nation Environment Award – Global 500 Laureate in year 2001, who is well known for her contributions in grassroots marine turtles conservations projects that have been carrying out for more than 10 years.

b) Visit to Turtles Sanctuary Site
For a glimpse of the marine turtle sanctuary, a tour and briefing on “Marine Turtles Nesting Site, Incubation & Hatching of Eggs” will be conducted by Professor Chan Eng Heng at Chagar Hutang (Turtle Bay) in Redang Island.

c) Marine Turtle Adoption Programme
S.T.O.P (Save Our Turtles Outreach Programme) Foundation is calling individuals and corporate companies to participate in the Marine Turtle Adoption Programme, a marine turtle conservation project embarked by Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Each turtle or nest adoption at only RM100 for Malaysian and USD40 for foreigners. Each adoption will receive a certificate of adoption from S.T.O.P. Foundation, information on the turtle / nest adopted and an exclusive “Endangered Turtles of Malaysia” T-shirt.

d) Photography Competition
Getting that perfect shot by preserving land and underwater memories is exhilarating.  A photo competition will be held to capture the glorious and amazing photos of the underwater and land life during the Redang Clean-up Day. The photo competition will be divided into two categories namely Land Photography and Underwater Photography.  Winning photos will be based on the highest votes from participants. Best photographs will walk away prizes from Sony Cybershot camera and attractive holiday packages.

Featuring a PADI 5-Star Gold Palm Instructor Development Centre, Berjaya Redang Beach Resort hosts the annual clean-up event as an initiative to promote constant awareness about the endangered species of corals and other underwater marine life. The resort call upon tourists and participants who wish to take part in preserving Redang Island as one of Malaysia’s most beautiful seaside getaways and diving havens.

In conjunction with Redang Clean-Up Day, Berjaya Redang Beach Resort is also offering two subsidized dive packages:

• 3 Day / 2 Night Redang Clean-Up Diver Package at RM518.00 nett per person inclusive of twin share accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 3 boat dive and 1 shore dive, PADI Project AWARE certificate and welcome pack.
• 3 Day / 2 Night Redang Clean-Up Air-Inclusive Package at RM998.00 nett and RM1,018.00 nett per person inclusive of return airfare (excluding airport taxes), from Subang-Redang-Subang and Singapore-Redang-Singapore respectively; twin share accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 3 boat dive and 1 shore dive, PADI Project AWARE certificate and welcome pack.

The Redang Clean-Up Day is open to the general public, both divers and non-divers who care about our environment. To register as participant or for more information, please contact Berjaya Redang Beach Resort at +609 – 630 8866/8888 or Berjaya Hotels & Resorts Reservations Office at +603 – 2141 0088, +603 – 2145 4107, 1 800 88 3236 (Malaysia toll-free) or Email: bhr@hr.berjaya.com.my or visit www.berjayahotels-resorts.com and www.berjaya-air.com (for air-inclusive package).

For media enquiries, please contact Berjaya Hotels & Resorts Corporate Office: Thang Han-Ni - Director of Marketing Communications (Tel: +603 2149 1828 or Email: hanni@hr.berjaya.com.my)

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

About Berjaya Hotels & Resorts
Founded in 1992, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts focuses on cultivating true Malaysian hospitality in leisure destination markets. Presently, the group operates over 16 local and international hotels and resorts under its growing wing. From the exotic island resorts of Tioman, Langkawi and Redang to the city centres of Kuala Lumpur and Penang to the castle-highlands of Berjaya Hills (formerly known as Bukit Tinggi Resort), Berjaya Hotels & Resorts’ prominence in Malaysia is further enhanced by the establishment of hotels and resorts in Singapore, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and London. As a premier hospitality group, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts also owns and operates service suites and exclusive golf & country clubs in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts (a division of Berjaya Land Berhad) is a member of the Berjaya Corporation Group of Companies, a public listed Malaysian conglomerate. Visit online at www.berjayahotels-resorts.com for more information.

About Berjaya Redang Beach Resort, Redang Island, Terengganu
Located off the coast of Terengganu in Peninsular Malaysia, the 266-rooom Berjaya Redang Beach Resort is famed for its powder-white beaches and pristine blue waters. Diving enthusiasts will be pleased to find the PADI 5-star Gold Palm Instructor Development Centre here, while spa enthusiasts can look forward to a host of rejuvenating treatments at Ayura Spa. Fun in the sun activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, banana boat rides, canoeing and parasailing. Direct flights are available via Berjaya Air from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Alternative daily flights to Kuala Terengganu are also available via Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Firefly. The journey continues with a 40-minute drive from Kuala Terengganu airport to Shahbandar Jetty. Ferry transfer services are available twice a day from Shahbandar Jetty (Terengganu) to Redang Island and vice-versa.

About Redang Island, Terengganu – Malaysia
Redang Island (locally, Pulau Redang) is the largest among a group of islands dotting the South China Sea and is located 45km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu. Redang is blessed with crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for enthusiasts as the waters here are abundant with marine life. Fishing within a 3.2km radius of the island and the collection of corals and other aquatic life are strictly prohibited as Redang is gazetted as a marine park.

About SONY (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
SONY (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD began operations in Malaysia on 31 October 1973. Today, its staff strength has grown to over 300 people and specialises in marketing, sales and services. With over 500 Sony authorized dealers, Sony currently has 4 direct stores known as Sony Style which are located at Suria KLCC and Bejaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur, the Curve in Petaling Jaya and Terbrau City in Johor Bahru.  The Sony Style at KLCC is the17th store in the world and it is the first Sony Style store in South East Asia, offering a closer communication channel with customers through its innovative products, solutions and services. On the global front, Sony has made environmental efforts directed at conserving the earth’s limited supply of natural resources, while reducing use of hazardous materials wherever possible. Steps were taken to lessen the environmental impact through product life cycle from manufacturing process to product recycling in some product categories. The Sony “eco info” mark is an example created to inform customers of the environmentally conscious features of Sony products. Visit online at www.sony.com.my  for more information.


About PADI Project AWARE
In 1989, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) developed the AWARE philosophy - Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education - to stress divers' roles in conserving the environment and create a group of effective environmental advocates. Project AWARE Foundation is the dive industry's leading non-profit environmental organization having its international presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland and Japan. The mission of Project AWARE Foundation includes conserves underwater environments through education, advocacy and action from 175 countries around the world. Visit online at www.projectaware.org for more information.