Petaling Jaya, 21 April 2008 - In responding to requests from schools, the deadline for the submission on the "The Environment and I" essay and photo contest have been extended to May 15, 2008.

Some of the primary schools needed more time to submit since they want to make the contest as their class project and they feel that it is a good opportunity to get the students to be more aware of the environment. Hence, Honda Malaysia, the organizer for this contest has agreed to extend the closing date by two weeks as this will encourage more schools to do the same with their students.

This contest is part of Honda Malaysia's effort to increase awareness and build understanding on environment conservation and extinction especially amongst primary school students. Through this contest, Honda Malaysia hopes to motivate students to care for the environment.

The theme of this essay and photo contest is "The Environment and I". It is open to all primary school students in Malaysia. Students are encouraged to share their ideas on conserving the environment that they can practise in their daily lives.

The essay must be between 400-800 words, can be in either Malay or English language and is focused on the environment and its impact on animals. Each essay submission must be accompanied by a 4R-size photo with caption on an activity undertaken by the participant and their family members to conserve the environment.

Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Atsushi Fujimoto said, "The young children are the future custodians of Mother Earth. In order to keep it safe and beautiful for them, we have to educate them while they are young. This contest is only one of our efforts to encourage our children to be more aware and learn importance of caring for the environment. We seek to instill in them the sense of ownership knowing that they also play a role in caring for the environment."

He said that Honda Malaysia in being the first corporate to initiate rescue efforts for the Sumatran rhinos is trying to give back to the society and environment as Honda strive to become a company that society wants to exist.

Honda Malaysia is sponsoring the "Save the Sumatran Rhino" programme which began in January 2006 where the company pledged RM5 million to WWF-Malaysia for rhino conservation efforts in Malaysia.

More than RM40,000.00 worth of prizes are up for grabs in this contest. The prizes include travel packages to Watch Orang Utans at Sepilok, Sabah; Elephant Ride in Thailand; Animal Fun Time in Night Safari & Jurong Bird Park in Singapore and Back to Nature in Taman Negara. All these travel packages are for two adults and one child.

The prizes are:

The essay and photo submissions must be sent to:
The "ENVIRONMENT AND I" Essay & Photo Contest
P.O. BOX 8850
PEJABAT POS KELANA JAYA
46799 PETALING JAYA
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN.

For more information on the essay and photo contest, please log on to: www.honda.com.my/rhino