Since 2015, PPB has been engaging with Malaysia’s indigenous communities, the Orang Asli, and we remain committed in addressing their need for basic amenities and improving their living conditions. We have identified their most pressing needs – the supply of clean water, sanitation facilities, electricity and proper shelter – and are focusing our efforts in these areas. We believe that the communities benefiting from this programme should be fully involved, and we encourage them to take ownership of their own well-being and living conditions. To this end, and under the terms of our sponsorship, PPB purchases all materials whilst the communities supply the labour.
For the Jakun Orang Asli communities in Simpai and Tasik Cini in Pahang who had to travel long distances to get water for their daily needs, we started by sponsoring the construction of wells to supply clean water. The completed wells attracted more orang asli to build their homes nearby and as usage of the wells increased, bathing in open areas became inconvenient. To safeguard their privacy and promote hygiene, we progressed to sponsoring a bathrooms with two toilets complete with septic tanks for each well recipient. In 2019, PPB sponsored zinc roofs and wood panels to transform their dilapidated huts to a respectable home.
In Gerik, Perak, where clean water can be readily obtained from nearby streams, we sponsored the building of higher dams and piping systems to provide more convenient access. We have also sponsored the installation of solar panels to ensure electricity supply, as well as saplings and farming tools to assist in their farming activities. To date, PPB has invested approximately RM202,000 to sponsor construction of the following:
bake X dignity, a joint CSR project by PPB and FFM was officially launched on 30 August 2019 at Dignity for Children Foundation (Dignity), a learning centre for the underprivileged. The joint contribution included the setting up of a baking studio, outfitting it with commercial baking equipment, as well as holding a 5-day training program at FFM Studio for 16 apprentices from Dignity.
bake X is operated by Dignity under its Transformational Enterprise program where students combine academic learning with technical skills, thus enhancing their employability. As of 30 September 2019, bake X is also fulfilling a commercial contract to supply chocolate chip cookies and brownies to an external customer, as well as supplying freshly baked products daily to eat X, a café also operated by Dignity.
This project, which invests in the lives of youths and provides an avenue for personal transformation for the marginalised and urban poor, is in line with PPB Group’s community investment strategy comprising 3 pillars – Social, Environment, and Arts & Culture. It also covers youth education and development, living skills and standards enhancement, environmental awareness and health activities.
The PPB50 Fund set up by PPB in conjunction with PPB’s 50th Anniversary celebration and managed by Kuok Foundation, aims to alleviate poverty through education. One of the projects under the PPB50 Fund, the “Back to School” project was held in Bedong, Kedah from 4 to 6 November 2019. 1,416 needy students from 23 primary schools were each given a set of school uniform and shoes under this project. PPB hopes that this contribution would encourage children from poor families to continue with their education.
As part of PPB’s initiative to empower the indigenous community, PPB sponsored 20 youths from several orang asli settlements in the states of Perak and Kedah to pursue a 12-month programme at SOLS Academy of Innovation. The programme is designed to help prepare them for the workforce and includes English Language, mathematics, personal development, an IT technician course, solar system installation and maintenance and Google applications.
SOLS 24/7 Foundation is an international NGO that is committed to serve, educate and empower poor and under-served communities through various education and social empowerment programmes. To date, they have trained over 325,000 students and established over 200 training centres in six countries.
