Manulife Malaysia is teaming up with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Malaysia to spark real change in Wang Kelian, Perlis, and they’re doing it in a way that blends environmental conservation with community empowerment.
This partnership, launched in 2024, is part of Manulife’s Impact Agenda, a long-term mission to protect our planet while building stronger, more resilient communities.
The Big Idea? Turn Wang Kelian into an Eco-Tourism Gem
The focus is on the Denai Warisan trail, a 36km stretch that is packed with natural beauty. Manulife and Roots & Shoots are working together to rehabilitate and elevate the trail into a flagship eco-tourism destination.
This is not just about nature. It is about creating real opportunities for locals. The plan is to build a sustainable eco-tourism model that supports the environment and boosts livelihoods.
What Makes This Different? It’s Conservation and Community
Manulife’s impact goes beyond trail restoration. They are actively uplifting the community through skills training, financial education, and empowerment programs that help locals earn a sustainable income from eco-tourism.
Here is what they are doing:
- Financial literacy workshops
- Entrepreneurship training
- Nature-guiding skills training
- Used laptop donations to support digital inclusion for students and small businesses
This means locals can learn, earn, and grow while protecting one of Malaysia’s most biodiverse regions.
Ringgit Smart: Financial Literacy for the Next Generation
Manulife is also launching Ringgit Smart, a first-of-its-kind financial literacy initiative for Malaysians. Inspired by the success of Peso Smart in the Philippines, Manulife created Ringgit Smart to help Malaysians, especially youth and underserved communities, build strong money habits.
What does Ringgit Smart teach?
- Budgeting
- Saving
- Healthy financial habits
- Confidence in money management
And guess where it is launching first? Wang Kelian, where financial resilience and environmental stewardship are being built together.
“We’re Building Confidence for Life”
Vibha Coburn, CEO of Manulife Insurance Berhad, said it best:
“Financial empowerment is a key pillar of thriving communities. By pairing financial literacy with conservation, we are creating opportunities that support both immediate needs and long-term resilience.”
Youth Power in Action
TP Lim, President of Roots and Shoots Malaysia, shared that the partnership has already empowered young Malaysians to become active volunteers, citizen scientists, and community leaders.
They have been involved in:
- Biodiversity surveys
- Trail restoration
- Community engagement
- Workshop coordination
This collaboration is not just about saving the environment. It is about creating a generation of confident changemakers.
Wang Kelian, A Place Full of Potential
Wang Kelian is home to incredible biodiversity, but the region faces economic challenges. This partnership proves that with long-term support and collaboration, underdeveloped areas can transform into resilient, thriving communities.
For more information on Manulife Malaysia’s sustainability and Impact Agenda initiatives, please visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/sustainability/impact-agenda.html
