KAO Malaysia recently joined forces with the residents of Flat PKNS Taman Dato Harun, one of Selangor’s 75 dengue hotspots, in ongoing efforts to tackle the dengue scourge at its source. Organised in collaboration with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Takeda Malaysia, and Impactlution, this community-wide initiative follows KAO Malaysia’s launch of its GUARD OUR FUTURE project in June, which coincided with the introduction of its new Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum in Malaysia.
“Dengue fever remains a persistent public health issue in Malaysia. With the rise in cases in the state of Selangor, we must work with the local community to address this serious issue together. This clean-up is part of a series of planned activities under our GUARD OUR FUTURE project, and we hope that this will mark the next significant step towards our goal of protecting the lives of Malaysians against mosquito-borne diseases,” said Mr Nishimaki Akira, President of KAO Malaysia.
Mr. Nishimaki Akira, President of Kao Malaysia Sdn Bhd, delivering his speech at the community clean-up (gotong-royong) event
KAO Doubles Down on Its Commitment to Solving Social Issues
In June, KAO Malaysia announced the expansion of its GUARD OUR FUTURE project to protect future lives from mosquitoes. GUARD OUR FUTURE is centred on innovative product technology and formulation that provides a protective shield, keeping mosquitoes away from people’s skin and thus preventing bites. Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum, first introduced in Thailand two years ago and launched this year in Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, is a mosquito repellent based on technology that makes the skin surface repellent to mosquitoes, causing them to fly away before biting. The goal is not to kill mosquitoes, but to reduce infection by protecting the skin.
In line with KAO’s commitment to solving social issues according to its vision to protect future lives, the mosquito repellent joins its Bioré brand lineup of products that protect the skin from various environmental stress factors like UV rays, intense heat, and infectious diseases. As part of GUARD OUR FUTURE in Malaysia, KAO Malaysia has pledged to match a donation of Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum units with the number of active dengue fever cases in Selangor in 2023. This will amount to over 61,080 units of the product, worth RM15.90 per 50g unit, totalling RM971,172.
Along with this latest community clean-up effort, KAO Malaysia is committed to following through on its multi-faceted approach to fighting dengue fever in Malaysia, as part of its ESG strategy. Dubbed the Kirei Lifestyle Plan (KLP), KAO’s ESG strategy outlines ambitious goals for the future and provides a detailed direction for activities focusing on consumers. While the Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum focuses on preventing mosquitoes from landing on the skin, its community-level activities aim to reduce the burden of dengue fever by creating a more sustainable environment.
Yang Berhormat Puan Jamaliah Binti Jamaluddin, EXCO Public Health & Environment, Selangor State delivering her speech at the community clean-up (gotong royong) event
Cleaning Up Together with Partners and the Local Community
A 100-strong turnout comprising volunteers from KAO Malaysia, MBPJ, Takeda Malaysia, Impactlution, and the local community were briefed and allocated clean-up tools such as trash pickers, gloves, and garbage disposal bags. The clean-up commenced at around 9 AM, with participants seen hard at work, identifying potential breeding sites and clearing stagnant water.
Impactlution, one of the partners involved in the clean-up effort, is an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting firm specialising in community and environmental projects. Representatives from the company gave a short talk after the clean-up to raise awareness of waste management and its impact on the Aedes mosquito population, while an MBPJ representative followed with a brief rundown on the importance of promoting dengue education and awareness. Takeda, a global healthcare company, has joined the fight against dengue by offering educational talks on symptoms and management. With the recent availability of its dengue vaccine in Malaysia, Takeda has pledged to work with the public, private, and local communities to help reduce the burden of dengue. To round off the day, KAO Malaysia donated Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serums to the Flat PKNS Taman Dato Harun community.
Dr. Nurhalina Azly – Health Director from Kilnik Lina, briefs participants on the risks of dengue fever
About Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum’s Product Technology
The new Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum is a mosquito repellent based on a technology that makes the skin surface repellent to mosquitoes. Focusing on the actions of mosquitoes when they land on the skin, KAO has developed a non-greasy mosquito repellent with a light texture similar to body lotion that can spread widely and provide coverage on the skin, as if forming a protective shield against mosquitoes.
The product protects against mosquitoes without being sticky and is as comfortable to apply as a serum. By preventing mosquitoes from landing or staying on the skin at all, the technology’s mechanism differs from that of conventional insect repellents, which typically use volatile active ingredients such as diethyltoluamide (DEET) or Picaridin, to which consumers may be sensitive.
The new Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum offers up to 8 hours of protection and will be available in two delightful fragrances (Fresh Lavender and Sweet Blossom) at a Recommended Retail Price of RM24.90 for a 100g tube. Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum will be available for purchase at major pharmacies and retailers nationwide.
Representatives from KAO Malaysia, Takeda Malaysia, Selangor State Government and the community posing for a group photo to commemorate the event
