Aggy with his adopted mother at the facility (Photo: Pulau Orang Utan Bukit Merah)
Once a distant threat, climate change is now a present reality. Extreme weather in different parts of the world continues to make headlines, with reports of its devastating impact on our livelihoods, global food security, economic stability and safety.
While plenty of industries contribute to the crisis, the hospitality sector has drawn criticism from massive resource consumption, high carbon emissions and heavy waste generation. Responding to such pressing matters, hotels and resorts across various segments are constantly revising and reinventing their approach to offer guests a more sustainable holiday experience by cutting energy use, conserving water, reducing food waste and eliminating single-use plastics.
Leading names such as Marriott International have taken it a step further by introducing Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, a sustainability and social impact platform that aims to effect positive, lasting change across operations, supply chains and communities.
In Malaysia, the company’s initiatives include coastal conservation and wildlife protection, from coral adoption in Kota Kinabalu to the planting of mangrove saplings along Desaru Coast in Johor.
Early this month, Marriott Bonvoy unveiled a new partnership with the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation (BMOUIF), established by the late Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal Abu Bakar in 2000 as an ex-situ conservation and rehabilitation facility. It was set up to protect endangered Bornean orangutans, serve as a research centre as well as educate the public about wildlife preservation.
“Malaysia is home to incredible biodiversity, and orangutans are one of the country’s most treasured yet endangered species. This collaboration reflects Marriott Bonvoy’s commitment to using travel as a force for good and creating meaningful connections with the communities and environments in which we operate,” says George Varughese, Marriott International’s market vice-president for Malaysia.
“The hospitality industry has a unique opportunity to influence how people experience and engage with destinations. As travellers explore more of the world, it is important that tourism grows responsibly by protecting the natural and cultural heritage that make each place special.”
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Branded as “A Story That Matters”, this campaign is designed to raise awareness of orangutan conservation, encourage visits to the dedicated island in Perak and inspire a wider audience to understand the importance of protecting the species.
At the heart of this project is the adoption of Aggy, a young orangutan orphaned shortly after birth. “Through this initiative, Marriott Bonvoy is supporting BMOUIF’s efforts in providing specialised care for the animal. This includes helping the team of veterinarians and caregivers who ensure Aggy’s well-being as he grows. Beyond that, the collaboration aims to highlight the broader conservation work carried out by the organisation, from research and education to orangutan protection,” he says.
Guests of Marriott Bonvoy hotels across the country will be able to learn more about Aggy’s journey through storytelling initiatives, make donations through QR touchpoints at participating establishments and enjoy exclusive member benefits such as discounted admission rates for Orang Utan Island.
“The campaign may be expanded to include additional engagement opportunities that encourage visitors to further support orangutan conservation,” says Varughese.
At the launch, BMOUIF chairman Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Mohamad spoke about the threat that primates and other fauna face.
“Among the challenges is habitat loss, and this is not exclusive to orangutans. Elephants and tigers are also affected. In fact, all the big mammals are losing their habitat to deforestation. Because we are embarking on social and economic development, something will lose out. But I believe in coexistence. So, there must be a balance between wildlife, plant life and human life.”
Besides climate change, he also points to illegal poaching and trade as factors contributing to the disruption of biodiversity and ecosystems. “These are very complex issues that cannot be addressed by conservation organisations alone. It requires the government, private sector, local communities and individuals to work hand in hand. That is precisely why today’s partnership is so meaningful and significant. The future of wildlife conservation depends not on the efforts of a single party but on the willingness of many to come together with a common purpose,” he stresses.
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Reflecting on a recent tragedy involving a domesticated canine named Rocky, which died during a stray dog capture operation in Klang, Selangor, Abdul Latiff says he was taken aback by the whole incident.
“It raises an issue about how we treat animals. As conservationists, we often say that people will protect only what they understand and love. And they will value only the opportunity they are able to experience,” he says.
“We hope every guest who learns Aggy’s story, every person who visits Orang Utan Island and every family and child inspired by this collaboration can become another voice advocating for the protection of our natural habitat. This is the kind of impact we aspire to create.”
The renowned Malaysian botanist also recounts the determination of the BMOUIF founder, who passed away in July 2022.
“I don’t know anyone in my life who was ‘crazy’ enough to do what he did — bringing orangutans from Borneo to the peninsula through a borrowing arrangement, and spreading the knowledge to schoolchildren to help them understand not just the animal’s behaviour but also the threat they were facing. This is the legacy of the late Tan Sri Mustapha,” Abdul Latiff says.
“No meaningful conservation effort can thrive without visionary leadership and steadfast support. His aspiration in establishing Orang Utan Island was never solely to create a place for people to see orangutans. It was to establish a sanctuary to educate the public and carry out scientific research while nurturing a deeper respect for nature among present and future generations.”
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Orang Utan Island was officially opened to the public in 2000. A year later, a tunnel was introduced within the open enclosure, offering a unique experience in which guests amble through the secured walkway while orangutans roam freely around them. This model encourages respectful interactions between visitors and these remarkable creatures.
As one of the facility’s caretakers, BMOUIF adviser Azmil Khuzaid Zakaria, who is also Mustapha’s son-in-law, talks about plans to expand and improve the site.
“The island is about 15 acres, but we’re using less than five acres. We’re hoping to set up an entire loop around the island in five to 10 years by adding five more enclosures,” Azmil says.
The team is also preparing to build a centre for species recovery. “Today, we have 15 orangutans. In the future, we’re looking at housing around 50. In case of an absolute collapse in their population in the wild, we would have an optimum number to realistically consider repopulating.”
Azmil, who joined the foundation in January 2020, is steadfast in his mission to carry the torch alongside his sister-in-law Felina, also MK Land executive chairman.
“My late father-in-law wanted to be the pioneer and show that it could be done. He proved himself, and now the job of this generation is to ensure that legacy continues; part of it is to spread awareness,” he says.
“Becoming a part of BMOUIF has been a great experience for me. I understand what my father-in-law used to say: The orangutans don’t complain. Whenever I go up there, I spend half an hour with the staff, listen to their complaints a bit, then spend the next four hours just sitting with the creatures. It is such a joy and privilege to be able to do that,” he shares.
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This article first appeared on Aug 24, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
