Key initiatives and practices for mill operation that are in place include:
► Usage of lagoons and polishing system for treatment of palm oil mill effluent to ensure that effluent discharge into the watercourse will have a Biochemical Oxygen Demand of below 20 parts per million;
► Palm oil mill effluent is also used as organic fertilisers at our estates;
► Continuous monitoring and regular stack sampling of boiler emission are always on going to ensure smoke emission is within the emission standard under the Environmental Quality Act (Clean Air); and
► Scheduled wastes are stored and disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements imposed by the Department of Environment (DOE).
Workplace
We firmly believe our employees are our important assets. Hence we ensure that their welfare and well being are constantly safeguarded. Besides ensuring that the working conditions are comfortable, safe and conducive, our employees in the estates and mills are provided with ample modern amenities. Apart from the basic communication facilities, our estates and mills are equipped with improved infrastructure and facilities such as roads, schools, clinics, transportation, playgrounds, community halls and places of worship.
The Group emphasises on staff training and development and invests adequate funds to develop and enhance competencies at all levels of the workforce. A total of about 2,000 training mandays, carried out officially, have been clocked in by the staff through various training programmes organised throughout 2009. Trainings are on going, unofficially, at the workplace as the Group stresses on a continuous learning environment. Soft skills trainings are also given the same emphasis as functional and technical trainings. The soft skills trainings conducted during the year included Train the Trainer, Practical Public Speaking, Personal Empowerment and People Turnaround (PETA) programme.
In addition, to achieve career advancement and further development, capable and talented employees are identified to undergo the Clerical/Supervisional/Executive and Managerial Development Programmes.
These selected employees have undergone programmes such as Group Dynamics Programme, Personal Empowerment for Organisational Excellence, Enhancing Administrative & Clerical Skills. Continuous development programmes will be carried out in subsequent years.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Workplace (continued)
In this respect, recreational and staff wellness activities are organised internally or in collaboration with external agencies to create awareness and to inculcate healthy living among employees. Activities organised by KEREDAS (SPB Staff Recreational Club) during the year included blood donation drives (in collaboration with the Miri General Hospital), sports and a family trip to the Borneo Tropical Rainforest, Lambir. Besides these, the Management, employees and workers from estates, mills and other offices within the Group also gather together at various locations within the region to participate in the Inter-Region Games 2009.
Football, volleyball, bowling, sepak takraw, badminton, carom, darts, table tennis and futsal competitions were organised. These activities not only enhance rapport among employees but also boost the morale of the staff and workers.
Health, welfare, sports and wellness programmes as well as training and development for the employees and workers will continue to be the primary focus of the Group.
Community
The Group purchases fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from smallholders living nearby the two mills of the Group.
Purchases from smallholders is one of the key corporate social initiatives of the Group and provides smallholders with a steady income.
In addition, the Group participates in the Native Customary Rights (NCR) joint ventures whereby the NCR land owners benefit through the development of their land into oil palm plantations. The development of NCR land also creates job opportunities and entrepreneurship for the local communities.
In February 2009, the Group donated RM20,000 to the Football Association Of Sarawak and other statutory bodies. In addition, as part of our continuous social responsibility towards the community and staff, the Group provided food and emergency rations to the families and flood victims in Kuching whose houses were battered by strong waves and destroyed by the flood.
In June 2009, a Health Talk and Pap Smear Free Screening Programme was conducted at the Community Hall of Ladang 3 with the aim to increase health awareness among the nearby community and workers. It
Community (continued)
Throughout 2009, the Group supported sports and religious functions organised by the local communities through cash contributions and also organised the breaking of fast for the orphans during Ramadhan. The Group regularly organises Blood Donation Campaigns for the benefit of Sarawak General Hospital's blood bank.
Marketplace
SPB recognises the importance of effective communication with its shareholders, investors and other stakeholders. The Group ensures transparency and adheres to good corporate governance practices.
SPB’s corporate website provides easy access to information on the Group’s financial and operations and email communications with the Group.
In addition, appropriate policies and procedures are in place to ensure that business and operational conducts are executed within the expected line and requirements of business conducts and ethics.
Feedback and suggestions from the customers, suppliers and contractors are addressed promptly and follow up actions are taken accordingly.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Investor Relations Activities
Investor Relations Activities
The Board and Management of the Group have always believed in building and maintaining a mutually beneficial long term relationship with its shareholders. With this in mind, Investor Relations (IR) activities are a key priority. These activities are conducted so as to consistently update and provide shareholders, institutional investors and research analysts with relevant comprehensive, transparent and prompt information about the Group. This is a way of allowing the Group’s existing and potential shareholders and investors to have an informed and realistic opinion of the Group’s profitability, strategic positioning and associated opportunities as well as risks.
Other ways of achieving the objective include timely announcement of the Company’s quarterly financial reports, other material information as required by Bursa Malaysia and conducting regular activities to inform shareholders and analysts of business development as well as important events within the Group.
To develop a long-term relationship of trust among existing and future shareholders, SPB consistently participates in and organises visits, briefings and meetings with fund managers and analysts. It is through such IR activities that the Group’s corporate management strategies and current developments are discussed with interested parties who will gain a balanced overview and all necessary information. Such IR activities are led and conducted by the Group Managing Director, Haji Mohamad Bolhair Bin Reduan, assisted by Executive Directors, all of whom communicate with the investors on pertinent matters.
For the year under review, the Group had meetings and briefings with various fund managers and research analysts. These briefings promote interaction between investors, analysts and key members of the management team.
The Group also consistently received coverage from various research institutions such as Standard & Poor’s, Kenanga Research, MIDF Research and Affin Investment Bank.
All communications and discussions at meetings and briefings and any other IR activities are restricted to matters that are in the public domain.