EcoWorld fields seasoned and fresh runners
EcoWorld Development is sending six teams to the 15th Kuala Lumpur Rat Race, which will be held at MaTiC Lanai in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur on Sept 23. In conjunction with the event, the company has pledged RM66,000 to support The Edge Education Foundation (TEEF).

EcoWorld group quality management general manager Steven Su says he is looking forward to the race. “My first Rat Race was in 2008. I took part again in 2012. This run is truly fun and different from the other races in KL. This is perhaps the only race where you won’t feel out of place running in your office attire.

“One of the best things about it is that you run with your colleagues as a team … it helps build team spirit.”

He says he enjoyed taking part in the previous runs because of the carnival-like atmosphere, and the loud cheers of the supporters and cheerleaders along the route. Seeing colleagues and peers sweat it out in the name of charity also made him happy.

Su is no stranger to the running track as he is a long-distance runner. However, he says for the Rat Race, he would have to train to run faster. Su will be running in two other races before the Rat Race and he hopes they will serve him well in the latter.

Su says the charity run is a meaningful and creative way to get the corporate world to contribute to society.

“The Rat Race is for a noble cause. It is always heartening to participate in events that give back to society,” he says, adding that charity does not only mean monetary donation but also contributions via skills and time.

Believing that everyone can play a role in helping society, Su says companies should encourage their staff to take part in such activities regularly.

Meanwhile, Datuk Rajoo Somu, chief operating officer of EcoWorld, is feeling the heat, as he is representing the company in the CEO race. He says it is this pressure that drives him to do his best in the race.

“With young and energetic teammates behind me, I will keep running towards the finish line.

“The objective of the race — running for financial and English literacy — also spurred me to put on my running shoes. On top of that, this will be my first KL Rat Race,” he says.

Somu says corporate social responsibility (CSR) means adding value and making meaningful changes to the community that the company serves.

He says EcoWorld strongly believes in giving back to society, which is why it will be launching the

EcoWorld Foundation on Sept 24. This will serve as a platform for the company to carry out charitable activities and contribute to the community. The foundation’s focus is the education of 3,000 students under the EcoWorld Student Aid Programme.

On getting the top management of companies to run for charity, Somu says it is a good move, as bosses should lead by example, just like creating positive work cultures in their organisations. Thus, by participating in activities such as the Rat Race, it will foster a caring and compassionate workforce.

 

Feruni Ceramiche aims to win
One of Feruni Ceramiche Sdn Bhd’s six mission statements reads: “To share our wealth of technical expertise, experience and capabilities with our staff and business partners, and do our part for the underprivileged in society.”

So it comes as no surprise that Feruni has pledged RM60,000 and enrolled five teams for The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2014.

Speaking on behalf of his teammates, project sales manager Hasbullah Mohd Saad says they are proud to be helping those in need and are enjoying preparing for the race. It is also a chance for them to socialise.

Hasbullah, who participated in the 2012 race, says his fondest memories were of running on the busy roads of Kuala Lumpur and completing the race.

To win the race, Feruni has been organising activities such as park runs, gym visits, futsal tournaments, and cycling in Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam for the participants to train as a team.

Hasbullah says the KL Rat Race will encourage corporate companies to give back to society. “I hope that Malaysians will become committed to giving to, or participating in charitable events.”

Feruni director Gidget Lim will compete in the CEO race for the second time. She hopes her participation will set a good example and inspire the Feruni teams to give it their all. Also, she hopes the race will encourage her staff to lead a healthier lifestyle through regular exercise.

“When we have a healthy body and mind, we can help those in need. But I need a little more exercise before the big day,” she says.

Besides giving to TEEF, Feruni also contributes to the education sector. Sixty percent of funds raised through its CSR efforts go to schools, as well as sponsorships and scholarships.

The company plans to establish a tiling academy to create better opportunities for young people who are unable to advance academically. The polytechnic will equip students with tiling skills and knowledge, which will improve the standard in the local tiling industry in the long term.

On what constitutes a good CSR campaign, Lim says: “We believe in building a better and equitable society. We are committed to CSR efforts that bring hope and change the lives of those in our surrounding community. We hope to elevate the standard of living and literacy so that people will have a better future.”

 

Land & General Bhd focuses on education
When Sekolah Sri Bestari first opened its doors in a double-storey shoplot in Bandar Sri Damansara in December 1995, it was part of Land & General Bhd’s commitment to do its part in improving Malaysia’s level of education.

The international school, which has grown into a complex complete with the necessary facilities to give students the best start, was set up in response to the government’s call for private agencies to fulfil their social responsibility.

Upon learning about TEEF’s efforts to improve numeracy and literacy in English, Bahasa Malaysia and finance, Land & General responded by pledging RM18,000 to The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2014, fielding a single team.

Its managing director Low Gay Teck is glad to be running in the 1.5km CEO race. Besides being a CSR effort, he says, the race will also help foster the relationship between management and employees.

The idea of getting CEOs to run for charity sits well with him because it gets them out of their daily routine and offers an informal way to network.

“Land & General carries out different types of CSR activities annually. We visit ... residents of charities [orphanages or homes for seniors] and assist in cleaning [their] premises.

“We also contribute to organisations such as the National Heart Institute, Lion’s Club Subang Jaya, HOPE Worldwide Malaysia, Persatuan Warga Emas Bandar Sri Damansara, Kechara Soup Kitchen and the Kiwanis Club of Bukit Kiara,” Low says.

He says that a good CSR effort is not based solely on monetary contributions, and that organisations should endeavour to educate and promote talent among the less fortunate to ensure self-sustainability in our competitive society.

The team for the KL Rat Race comprises marketing manager Siti Fazlina, cost control executive Nor Azim Abdullah and sales executives Ice Teck Pei Wen, Sean Lim and Andy Khoo. To prepare for the race, Siti increases her stamina by doubling her exercise workouts, Teck hits the gym more often, Azim jogs daily, Lim runs at least 4km a day, and Khoo runs at least 3.2km a week.

They agree that the KL Rat Race highlights the importance of upgrading our lifestyle and knowledge, which can only be achieved by improving the quality of education.

They also hope to see more participation from people of all races and ages, and more corporations embracing CSR.

Matrix Concepts Holdings is no stranger to giving back to society
In April, Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd donated three dialysis machines to the Haemodialysis Unit in Kajang Hospital. Come Sept 23, it will be doing a charitable deed in athletic form. Fifteen employees from various departments will be participating in the open, mixed and senior categories of The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2014.

Group managing director Datuk Lee Tian Hock will run alongside chairman Datuk Mohamad Haslah Mohamad Amin in the CEO Race.

This is Matrix Concepts’ first KL Rat Race and Lee says he is excited about contributing to TEEF.

“I believe in contributing to education, which is fundamental in producing quality human capital to drive the progress of our nation.”

He envisions that the younger employees will embrace charitable initiatives that contribute towards the enhancement of living standards and quality of education and health, as well as environmental conservation, in line with the company’s motto of “Nurturing Environments, Enriching Lives”.

Lee says the CEO Race is “particularly exciting”, as it demonstrates leadership by example. “Besides, it helps keep the CEOs in shape,” he quips.

Matrix Concepts actively engages in CSR activities in Negeri Sembilan and other parts of the country. Among the beneficiaries are schools, religious institutions, homes for the underprivileged and NGOs.

It is the first Rat Race for Jack Lim Kok Kuan, Goh Yin Lin, William Low and Ng Ying Cong, who are participating in the open and mixed categories. To prepare themselves for the Sept 23 race, they exercise and run regularly after work individually and as a team.

The idea of running for charity “is very encouraging and a positive contribution to the local community, society at large and the nation”, they say. “In fact, every successful corporation should support more charity events and contribute cash, in kind and their talent as part of their social philanthropy ...”

Running in the senior category is legal adviser Ong Eng Hock, who wants to challenge himself, as he has never participated in a competitive fun run before.

He says a friend of his had participated in a Rat Race and had almost given up as he neared the finish line. Upon seeing Ong cheering him on, the friend finished the race, and more importantly, made a resolution to live a healthier and more fulfilling life with his family and loved ones.

Ong started training in June, hitting the treadmill every two days and swimming to boost his stamina. He has doubled his hours on the treadmill, as his stamina has increased starkly.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on September 2, 2014.