From left – Mr. Oon Kin Seng, Mr. Amos Thien Tze Tin, En. Yaras Bin Yusup and Datuk Mohammad Pintaz Badar.

Mr. Oon Kin Seng, Pentas Flora Group Executive Director.

The businesses recognised at this function have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability.

Pentas Flora’s GREEN LABEL Program, marks a significant step towards sustainable waste management in Sabah’s service centres.

KOTA KINABALU , SABAH , MALAYSIA, February 28, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Pentas Flora (Sabah) Sdn Bhd – a member of the Pentas Flora Group, a leading Scheduled Waste Management player in Malaysia, officially launched its groundbreaking Pentas Flora GREEN LABEL Program on 22nd February 2024. This program marks a significant step towards sustainable waste management in Sabah’s service centres and the automotive industry. The event was officially launched by Mr. Oon Kin Seng, Group Executive Director of Pentas Flora Group as well as Datuk Mohammad Pintaz Badar, Chairman of Pentas Flora Sabah in the presence of Mr. Amos Thien Tze Tin, PR Secretary to the Minister of Industrial Development & Entrepreneurship of Sabah and En. Yaras Bin Yusup, Timbalan Pengarah (Operasi) Jabatan Alam Sekitar Negeri Sabah, who lent their support to this impactful initiative.

“The Pentas Flora GREEN LABEL Program is not just about disposing of waste; it’s about transforming how we approach sustainability. By focusing on service excellence, efficient waste management, environmental compliance, and long-term sustainability, we aim to empower service centres to become true champions for the environment while reaping significant benefits for their businesses. We see Sabah to be a great state where Pentas Flora’s initiatives can flourish, hence why we began this program here in Sabah. In the long run, we aim to be investing RM50 million into our operations here in Sabah this 2024,” said Mr. Oon Kin Seng.

“Our journey begins with the GREEN LABEL Initiative, a beacon of sustainability that illuminates the path toward a cleaner, more responsible future. For service centers and waste generators in Sabah, this initiative is not merely a label—it’s a promise. A promise to reduce our ecological footprint, protect our natural resources, and safeguard the well-being of generations to come”, he added.

“I am glad to see such initiatives taking place in Sabah and Malaysia as a whole. We thank Pentas Flora for helming this GREEN LABEL Program and we are excited for the investment coming into the state. This will ensure more job opportunities for Sabahans and positive economic growth for the state and the country at large”, said Mr. Amos Thien.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the scheduled waste generated in Malaysia increased by 4.5% to 7,505.2 metric tonnes in 2021 from 7,185.2MT in 2020. Sabah contributed to 3.6% of the total scheduled waste generated in Malaysia in 2021, with 270.2MT. These figures are expected to rise further as our population and economic activities grow.

Therefore, it is imperative that we adopt sound scheduled waste management practices that comply with the relevant laws and regulations, such as the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005. We must also strive to adopt the best available techniques and practices that minimize waste generation, maximize resource recovery, and ensure safe disposal.

The Pentas Flora GREEN LABEL program kicked off with a morning seminar on scheduled waste management, where the Department of Environment Sabah (DOE) experts delved into the intricacies of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 2005, offering practical guidance on packaging, labelling, storage, and waste generator responsibilities. The eSWIS system, a crucial tool for waste tracking and reporting, was also comprehensively discussed.

Following a press conference in the evening, the event saw a grand ceremony with a plaque presentation recognizing participating service centres and an Achievement Award presentation celebrating outstanding environmental efforts. The event culminated in a sumptuous dinner attended by over 150 guests, fostering a sense of community and shared commitment to a greener Sabah.

“The Pentas Flora GREEN LABEL Program is a new initiative designed to recognize and reward businesses that are committed to sustainable practices. We believe that businesses have a responsibility to protect the environment, and we are proud to partner with companies that share our values. The businesses recognised at this function have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, and we are honoured to have them as part of the program”, said Gunaprasath Bupalan, Pentas Flora’s Corporate Communications Consultant who also emceed the event.

The Pentas Flora Green Label Program offers a comprehensive suite of benefits for participating service centres, including enhanced environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, long-term profitability and exclusive program benefits amongst other perks.

Pentas Flora is confident that the Pentas Flora GREEN LABEL Program will become a catalyst for positive change in Sabah, driving sustainable practices across the service sector and contributing to a cleaner, healthier future for the state and hopefully for the entire nation in the near future.

If you would like to find out more about how your service centre or business could be Pentas Flora GREEN LABEL certified, do reach out to us at gunaprasath.bupalan@pentasflora.com or carey.yap@pentasflora.com

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About Pentas Flora
For over a decade, Pentas Flora has reigned supreme as Malaysia’s waste management leader. With comprehensive solutions and unparalleled expertise, they tackle diverse scheduled waste challenges across industries. But their ambitions extend far beyond mere disposal. Their true passion lies in environmental stewardship. Pentas Flora champions a revolutionary end-to-end approach. Their specialized re-refining services transform waste oil into fuel oil and eco base oil, fueling a circular economy and a cleaner future. This proactive strategy has reclaimed a significant portion of Malaysia’s automotive and industrial waste, paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable nation. In essence, Pentas Flora is not just a waste management company; they are an environmental powerhouse, weaving responsibility into the fabric of Malaysian industry.

Gunaprasath Bupalan
Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd
0179203544
gunaprasath.bupalan@pentasflora.com
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TWICE have officially dropped the M/V teaser 1 for their upcoming track “One Spark”. In this sneak peek, the members radiate pure charm as they showcase their bond, offering comfort and support to one another. The teaser gives fans a tantalizing glimpse into what promises to be an unforgettable music video experience.”One Spark” is the title song of the girl group’s upcoming 13th mini album, “With YOU-th”. The album drops on February 23. TWICE Unveils Exciting News for New Single ‘Dance Again’ Set for Release on December 12th!.

Check Out “One Spark” MV Teaser Here:

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(Credits: Far Out / Alamy / Paul Einerhand)

Country music, at its most traditional and stereotypical, embodies the familiar image of southern American male singers crooning about lost loves and whiskey-soaked nights. Initially, it served as a refuge for the downtrodden, offering a platform to express and explore their woes. Yet, as time progressed, the genre ventured into new realms, delving into diverse themes and narratives. Even still, despite its evolution, country music often struggles to resonate beyond the borders of the Land of the Free.

The birth of modern country music found its roots as the quintessential representation of American culture and heritage. Early iterations occurred at the intersection of post-war America and the civil rights movement, resulting in a sound that often sounded unsettling and less smooth than the versions that came after. Artists like Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, and Kitty Wells brought a raw, honky-tonk sound to the forefront, characterised by twangy guitars, steel pedals, and lyrics that reflected the hardships of working-class Americans.

While this era saw the emergence of timeless classics, the 1950s and 1960s saw country music begin to embrace a smoother, more polished sound known as the ‘Nashville sound’. Spearheaded by producers like Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley, this subgenre incorporated lush orchestration and sophisticated arrangements, appealing to a broader audience beyond rural America. Artists like Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, and Eddy Arnold achieved widespread success with their crossover hits, bridging the gap between country and pop music.

The following decade welcomed a rebellious streak with the emergence of outlaw country. Artists like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Merle Haggard rejected the polished sound of Nashville in favour of a grittier, more authentic approach. Their music spoke to a countercultural movement, embracing themes of freedom, individuality, and rebellion. Meanwhile, artists like Dolly Parton introduced a new generation to the genre, providing the freshness of a unique perspective to the genre’s lyricism.

While contemporary artists continue to forge new paths within the genre, its deep roots in American patriotism and ideology remain steadfast. This connection is hardly surprising when considering the underlying principles: American values emphasise unity for the common good. True Americans deeply respect their country and remain tethered to its foundational principles.

In this context, country music serves as a powerful channel for connecting with American heritage. It provides a means to resonate with the country’s shared history and values. Whether expressing feelings of melancholy or singing about personal struggles, country music offers a comforting embrace, a reminder that America stands beside its citizens through it all. As history professor Eric Stein once explained, “While folk, rock, and soul came to symbolise the anti-establishment politics of the New Left, the counterculture, and American blacks, respectively, country music produced artists who defended traditional American values.”

While acknowledging that a lot of country music transcends such narrow confines, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the predominant association remains deeply rooted in a collective spirit of national unity. Despite the presence of country artists beyond American borders, such as Lucie Silvas, and the genre’s ongoing thematic evolution spearheaded by artists like Orville Peck, the overarching perception remains undeniably linked to American culture.

For instance, in 2001, Toby Keith’s ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue’ arrived at a pivotal moment for Keith personally and in American culture, after the singer lost his father and America was grappling with the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. “It’s your job as an entertainer to lift the morale of the troops,” Commandant of the Marine Corps James L. Jones told Keith at the time. “If you want to serve, that is what you can do,” he said, evidently recognising the power of one of the country’s most important country artists to rally the nation and provide comfort.

The song effectively served as a heartfelt ode to the United States, reassuring its citizens that they were always strong, even amid moments of perceived threat. Its lyrics embodied a direct, unforgiving, and straightforward sentiment: “Justice will be served and the battle will rage / This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage / And you’ll be sorry that you messed with / The U.S. of A.”

Keith was among a multitude of artists who conveyed such messages, whether overt or subtle. The discourse surrounding various waves of country music and its capacity to connect with international audiences remains complex, often circumscribed to traditional realms associated with genre innovators. Nonetheless, the factors contributing to its challenge in resonating with broader audiences can be pinpointed.

While artists like Parton, Johnny Cash, and Nelson succeed in garnering global acclaim, potential audiences may have limited access to new country music and may be less familiar with its artists and repertoire. Other reasons for its lack of resonance outside America may be linked to its visual aesthetic – the cowboy hats and boots, pickup trucks, and rural landscapes may not translate to people from other cultural backgrounds, resulting in dissociation or general lack of interest.

Simultaneously, country music entrenched itself as an American mainstay amid the nation’s most uncertain and tumultuous epochs. It could be posited that during periods when the nation’s core principles felt jeopardised or societal cohesion became paramount, country music serves as a refuge for one nation alone, reassuring the populace that their homeland would endure even amid its most fractured eras. While other nations find solace in their own culturally relevant music, America flourishes with its enduring backdrop of country music.

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