Marriott Bonvoy And Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation Launch Nationwide Orangutan Conservation Collaboration

Did you know there's an orangutan conservation island located in Perak? I did not know previously too until I attended the launch of Marriott Bonvoy And Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation (BMOUIF) on the 3rd of August. 

From Left: Tuan Haji Azmil Khuzaid Zakaria, Advisor of BMOUIF, Lindsey Bradley, Senior Area Director of Marketing, Indonesia & Malaysia; Marriott International, Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr. Abdul Latif bin Mohamad, BMOUIF Chairman, George Varughese, Market Vice President, Malaysia; Marriott International, Felina Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Haji Mustapha Kamal, Executive Chairman of MK Land and ⁠Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zary Shariman bin Yahaya

The collaboration through ‘A Story That Matters: Uniting Hospitality and Conservation ​for a Better Future​, a nationwide campaign that brings together hospitality, conservation and education to support the protection of endangered orangutans.

United by a shared commitment to protecting Malaysia's natural heritage, Marriott Bonvoy and BMOUIF have come together to transform travel into a meaningful force for conservation. Combining Marriott Bonvoy's hospitality platform with BMOUIF's decades of expertise in orangutan conservation, the collaboration aims to raise awareness of Malaysia's rich biodiversity and encourage more travelers to become part of a meaningful conservation journey.

This collaboration brings together hospitality and conservation to support endangered orangutans, with Aggy's inspiring journey at the heart of the campaign.

At the heart of the campaign is Aggy, a young Bornean orangutan whose story shines a light on the remarkable conservation work of BMOUIF. Orphaned shortly after birth, Aggy survived thanks to the unwavering dedication of veterinarians and caregivers who nurtured him through his most vulnerable months. Today, he has been successfully reintroduced to Orang Utan Island, where he has been accepted by an adoptive orangutan mother, a heartwarming milestone made possible through months of dedicated care and rehabilitation.

Through Aggy's symbolic adoption, the collaboration aims to inspire guests and Marriott Bonvoy members to support BMOUIF's ongoing conservation, rehabilitation, research and education efforts while helping secure a brighter future for endangered orangutans.

The launch event took place at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur

The campaign forms part of Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, Marriott International's sustainability and social impact platform, reinforcing the company's commitment to creating positive impact in the communities and environments where it operates.

George Varughese, Market Vice President – Malaysia, Marriott International

Hospitality is about creating meaningful connections, not only with people, but also with the destinations we are privileged to be part of," said George Varughese, Market Vice President – Malaysia, Marriott International. "Our collaboration with the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation reflects Marriott Bonvoy's commitment to using travel as a force for good. We hope this initiative inspires our guests and members to engage more deeply with Malaysia's natural heritage and demonstrate how even small actions can contribute to protecting it for future generations."

From Orang Utan Island to Marriott Hotels Across Malaysia

As part of the campaign, Marriott Bonvoy hotels across Malaysia will introduce a series of guest touchpoints and awareness initiatives that invite guests to learn about orangutan conservation in and support the cause. The campaign also encourages more Malaysians to discover Orang Utan Island, one of the country's unique wildlife destinations.

Highlights include:

•    #AStoryThatMatters social media campaign sharing Aggy's story to inspire greater awareness and support for orangutan conservation.

•    QR code donation touchpoints across hotels to support orangutan conservation, enabling guests to contribute directly.

•    Exclusive Marriott Bonvoy members admission rates to Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island.

Throughout the campaign period, guests can look forward to activations in selected Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Malaysia that will connect them with orangutan conservation.

A Legacy of Orangutan Conservation

“Aggy's journey is a reminder that every orangutan deserves the chance to thrive,” said Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr. Abdul Latif bin Mohamad, Chairman of BMOUIF. “For more than two decades, BMOUIF has remained committed to the conservation, rehabilitation and protection of endangered orangutans. We are honoured to welcome Marriott Bonvoy as a valued conservation partner and believe this collaboration will inspire more people to understand the importance of protecting our natural heritage.”

Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr. Abdul Latif bin Mohamad, Chairman of BMOUIF

“This collaboration enables us to reach more people, inspire greater appreciation for Malaysia's extraordinary wildlife and demonstrate how collective action, no matter how small; can help secure a brighter future for generations to come,” he said.

Established with the vision and unwavering support of the late Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Haji Mustapha Kamal, founder of BMOUIF, the organisation has spent more than two decades advancing orangutan conservation, veterinary research and environmental education, establishing itself as one of Malaysia's leading centres dedicated to the care and conservation of endangered orangutans.

Tuan Haji Azmil Khuzaid Zakaria, Advisor of BMOUIF speaking at the launch event about the orangutan conservation at BMOUIF

Today, that legacy is being carried forward by Felina Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Mustapha Kamal, Executive Chairman of M K Land Holdings Berhad, who continues to support the Foundation and the broader Bukit Merah ecosystem. M K Land remains steadfast in supporting BMOUIF's conservation and education initiatives and warmly welcomes this meaningful collaboration with Marriott Bonvoy, which further strengthens collective efforts to raise awareness, inspire responsible tourism and secure a sustainable future for Malaysia's endangered orangutans.

Since 2009, the Foundation has welcomed more than 17,000 students through its educational programmes and supported over 430 veterinary medicine and conservation biology interns. It continues to advance research and rehabilitation efforts to help safeguard the future of endangered orangutans.

Together, Marriott Bonvoy and BMOUIF hope ‘A Story That Matters inspires more travellers to discover Malaysia's natural heritage while demonstrating how hospitality and conservation can work hand in hand to create lasting impact for wildlife, local communities and future generations.

If you would like to know more info about the campaign or Marriott Bonvoy, please visit their website.

.: Peace Out :.