This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 10, 2017

EcoWorld leads by example in corporate run

Good business leaders lead by example not only at work but also in living a healthy lifestyle, says Datuk Voon Tin Yow, executive director of Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld).

“As leader of a company, it is important to set a good example by participating in charitable events, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he says.

Voon has consistently been participating in The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race every year since its inception in 2000. It is thus not surprising to learn that he will be racing his peers in the CEO (chief executive officer) category this year, on July 25.

“I believe involving CEOs in the race inculcates a healthy culture because employees do look up to leaders as role models. So, it builds awareness of the importance of being active and keeping fit,” he says.

EcoWorld is the “Powered by” sponsor of the race this year, the fourth time the property developer is taking up the role. The company also continues to support the improvement of education through The Edge Education Foundation, which is currently focused on financial and English literacy among underprivileged teens.

“I believe corporate responsibility initiatives should be result-oriented and they should always have a positive impact on either individuals or society as a whole,” Voon adds.

EcoWorld fulfils its corporate responsibility through the Eco World Foundation’s Students Aid Programme, which Voon says currently benefits 3,000 students at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

A staff of subsidiary company Eco World International Bhd, corporate finance assistant manager Alvin Leow also praised the participation of corporate leaders.

“I think it is good that the race involves the participation of highly identifiable corporate figures as it creates a good example for the younger generation, especially since the proceeds raised from the event will go towards education for underprivileged children,” says Leow, who is participating in the Main Race category.

He expresses hope that in future, all public-listed companies in Malaysia will join the race and step up their participation in social responsibility initiatives to give back to the community.

A repeat participant who is also taking part in the Main Race category is EcoWorld’s senior executive of group treasury and finance, Khong Yoke Ling.

“This is the third time I am participating in The Edge KL Rat Race since joining EcoWorld four years ago. My reason for joining is simple: It is for charity and to help the underprivileged live a better quality of life,” she says.

The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2017 is inspired by the Carey Wall St Rat Race in New York, the US, which was first held in 1987.

Charity spurs Feruni Ceramiche’s boss to run

As a strong supporter of The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race, ceramic and porcelain tile provider Feruni Ceramiche Sdn Bhd is not only the Gold sponsor this year but its managing director and co-founder Datuk 

C C Ngei will also be competing with his peers in the CEO category on July 25.

Ngei does not feel under pressure; rather, he is excited to be part of the race.

“I am looking forward to the run for charity,” he says, adding that the cause of the race is a major motivating factor for his participation.

“Contributing to the community is one of the main pillars of Feruni. We strive to have an impact, so we have many ongoing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. One of them is the Feruni Tiling Academy, a sponsorship programme focused on teaching tiling best practices with the aim of uplifting young people’s lives and transform the tiling industry,” he says.

Ngei believes sustainability is a huge part of good CSR.

As with The Edge Education Foundation’s mission of fostering, developing and supporting education at all levels, the Feruni Tiling Academy helps students achieve livelihood sustainability by equipping them with tiling skills and knowledge so that they can eventually earn a living as a professional tiler.

“At the same time, successful students can give back to the programme as trainers,” he says.

As for the concept of The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race race, Ngei offers praise. “The main advantage of gathering everybody to run for charity gives the run a meaningful purpose — people will run with positivity and satisfaction, knowing that it is for a good cause,” he says.

“I hope the community will get involved and people will commit  themselves to charity — that we become more aware of and empathetic to the recurring social issues in our society and engage ourselves to make our country a better place to live in.

“Our ultimate goal is to inspire everyone to be committed to having a positive impact and contributing to the greater good of the community. As the saying goes: ‘Small things can grow into bigger things’.”

He says his staffers are all geared up for the race and counting the days until they can run with friends and colleagues.

Matrix Concepts participates as commitment to education

This year’s The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race will be Datuk Batumalai Ramasamy’s third time participating in the annual event. However, the director of Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd still finds the experience exciting and inspiring.

Batumalai will be going up against other CEOs on July 25 but he says he feels no pressure, having run in the CEO category in the past. He enjoys everything about the race, from the hard training and teamwork to the mingling with fellow enthusiasts from other organisations.

For him, running is one of the most enjoyable activities. 

“I feel excited, inspired and am looking forward to the race, which also gives me positive vibes [as a platform] to help raise funds [for charity],” Batumalai says.

Indeed, the company’s belief in the cause underpinning The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race is such that this year, Matrix Concepts has upped its sponsorship to Platinum from Gold previously. 

“We strongly believe that education is important for our economic growth and this event is one of the mediums to channel all those funds raised to The Edge Education Foundation,” says Batumalai, explaining the company’s support.

Matrix Concepts is dedicated to making continuous impact to raise the standard and quality of education, and for the environment and community, including the underprivileged, non-governmental organisations and religious institutions, he adds.

During the month of Ramadan this year, the company organised a buka puasa event for orphans from Darul Asnaf Seri Tanjung Kuala Pilah.

“It is essential to practise what you preach and to keep in mind that corporate social responsibility must be transparent in order to earn the trust of the public. It is not limited to monetary contributions. A good CSR initiative may involve providing a service and your time, especially to the needy,” says Batumalai.

He points out that while it is easy for people to contribute in monetary terms, not everyone is willing to give his or her time to the needy.

Thus, he is proud of Matrix Concepts’ dedication to making a difference. “Matrix Concepts has always believed in change, which goes hand in hand with our company’s tag line, ‘Nurturing Environment, Enriching Lives’. We hope that the charity work done in Malaysia will make a difference in our country and also the world.

“Hopefully, with all the charity work, it will ensure that our future generation has more value-driven goals and ambitions,” says Batumalai.

F&N sends two teams in show of support

While some companies may see The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race as a fun corporate outing for a good cause, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) appears to take it a little more seriously as it is entering two teams in this year’s race, dividing them into experienced participants and first-timers.

Since the venue has been moved to Padang Merbok this year from downtown Kuala Lumpur previously, the F&N teams have modified their training regimen to prepare for the physically and mentally challenging track of the hilly area. 

“Some of us are running at least three times a week to prepare for the new venue and some are incorporating more uphill runs and weight resistance training,” a team member says. There are no complaints from anyone, however. The F&N employees say they are proud and honoured to be able to  represent the company at the race. The opportunity to be part of such a unique and large-scale charity run is a motivation for them, besides helping them to keep fit. 

The experienced ones add that they have wonderful memories of past runs, from being awashed with that special feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie upon finishing the race as a team to meeting fellow runners from other participating companies. 

“The creativity of outfits worn by the teams is something we look out for each year,” adds a past participant, referring to those vying for the “Best Dressed Team” prize.

An F&N spokesman expresses enthusiasm for the race, saying: “This concept [of running for charity] is great. It not only encourages a fit and healthy society but a society that places importance in helping those in need.”

The spokesperson adds that the company hopes to see more charitable campaigns and awareness programmes that focus on environmental conservation.

Passion and camaraderie drive Deloitte team to run faster

Showing its ever-readiness to support a good cause, Deloitte Malaysia is taking part in The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race for the 11th time.

According to the professional services firm, its employees’ passion and camaraderie are what’s driving them to strive harder every year.

“We can feel the positive energy that will steer our participants to the finishing line,” a Deloitte spokesperson says.

The company has always been a supporter of good causes, especially those that combine philanthropy with fitness.

“The race is a great event to rally corporations to support a noble cause. The collective effort is so much greater compared with what one can do alone. That’s why we are back year after year,” it explains.

In preparation for this year’s race, its team has been training after work and on weekends alongside its other athletes who are preparing for the inter-accounting company’s games, which will be held around the same time.

Director of financial services risk advisory Justin Ong Kean Hu, who will be taking part in the CEO race, says it is a good way for people to contribute to charity — not just through donations but also through physical activities.

“It is a good opportunity for Deloitte’s leaders to step away from our desks and sweat it out for a good cause,” he says.

Ong adds that as the proceeds from the race will go towards providing education, training and skills development for the less privileged, Deloitte’s leaders are looking forward to continuing their support for the event in the years to come.

“For me, career development is akin to running. It is not a 100m race, but a 20- to 30-year marathon. So we need to be persistent and to relentlessly deliver work of the best quality to our clients ... know where you are heading, take charge of your journey and don’t forget to enjoy it along the way,” he says.

On Deloitte’s part, it has a global CSR programme to give back to local communities such as the annual Impact Day, when its professionals all over the world will spend the whole day volunteering for various charitable activities that will impact lives in their communities.

“It is our commitment to bring positive change to the communities we serve,” says Ong.