Rebecca PY MALAYSIA, 15 JULY 2026 – Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) and Canon Marketing Malaysia have formalised a five-year strategic collaboration to support conservation, biodiversity documentation, and environmental awareness initiatives at Penang Hill.
Under the collaboration, Canon has been engaged as the Official Imaging Partner of PHC, contributing its imaging technologies and expertise in professional cameras and high-quality print solutions to help document and showcase the ecological significance and beauty of the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR). Canon has been a supporter and active sponsor of the Penang Hill Festival since its inception in 2018.
Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the Man and the Biosphere Programme since 2021, the PHBR covers Penang Hill and its surrounding areas, spanning 12,481 hectares and home to more than 2,000 species of flora and over 500 species of fauna, making it Malaysia’s only urban-adjacent coastal and terrestrial rainforest ecosystem of its kind.
The partnership will support PHC’s ongoing biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness initiatives in collaboration with Canon, including bird biodiversity documentation, photography and videography workshops, conservation exhibitions, and the development of birdwatching spots across Penang Hill.
Masato Yoshiie, President and CEO of Canon Marketing Malaysia, said the partnership is guided by the philosophy of kyosei, meaning living and working together for the common good, and reflects Canon’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. He said imaging can be a powerful tool to elevate conservation and awareness efforts, and that the partnership brings Canon’s imaging strengths to support documentation of Malaysia’s natural heritage.
Dato’ Cheok Lay Leng, General Manager of Penang Hill Corporation, said Penang Hill is not only a popular ecotourism destination but a vital biodiversity and ecological asset that must be preserved responsibly. She said the Biosphere Reserve serves as a living laboratory and testbed for conservation, research and education, supported by community participation, and that the partnership strengthens PHC’s commitment to biodiversity conservation while reinforcing the reserve’s vision as a model for sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship.
Bird documentation and public engagement
As part of the collaboration, Canon will provide professional cameras and lenses to support PHC’s Bird Documentation Project, creating a long-term visual archive of bird species within the Biosphere Reserve. The archive will serve as a reference for research, education and conservation awareness, developed in close collaboration with the Malaysian Nature Society, drawing on the society’s expertise in birds.
Both PHC and Canon will jointly organise annual photography and videography workshops at Penang Hill, including programmes held during the Penang Hill Festival, to encourage greater public appreciation for nature conservation through visual storytelling.
Selected bird photographic works featuring native and migratory species found at Penang Hill will be exhibited at the Penang Hill Station, while five dedicated birdwatching spots will be introduced to improve accessibility for visitors, photographers and birdwatching enthusiasts. The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of PHC and Canon towards conservation, biodiversity awareness, and sustainable public engagement, bringing together environmental stewardship and imaging expertise.