Petaling Jaya, 5 September 2024 – In a tribute to ‘Jiwa Merdeka’, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the philanthropic arm of SD Guthrie Berhad, Sime Darby Berhad, and Sime Darby Property Berhad, celebrated the contributions of 6,971 employee volunteers at the Volunteer Awards Ceremony (VAC) 2024. The ceremony, attended by Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Chairman of YSD; Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Governing Council Member of YSD and Group Managing Director of SD Guthrie Berhad; and Puan Wan Noraidah Wan Mohd Zain, Deputy Director-General (Operations) of the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (JKM) also marked the strategic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JKM.
Building on YSD’s prior contributions of RM22.9 million in emergency aid, this partnership aims to further equip volunteers from YSD’s donor companies to manage and respond to emergencies through disaster preparedness volunteer trainings, reflecting Malaysia’s dedication to community safety and resilience.
Since the start of YSD’s collaboration with JKM in 2022, over 11,000 individuals across Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Johor have received aid totalling nearly RM1.4 million. YSD’s partnership with JKM will continue to ensure that volunteers are prepared and celebrated as crucial contributors to national welfare.
In line with Malaysia Day celebration, the theme ‘Volunteer for #ABetterMalaysia’ highlights YSD’s commitment to strengthening national unity and resilience through volunteerism. YSD’s employee volunteer programmes bring together diverse individuals from SD Guthrie, Sime Darby, and Sime Darby Property, making the foundation a hub for collaborative mission-driven efforts.
Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran stated, “With the signing of this MoU with JKM, we are set to improve how we prepare for and respond to community needs during disasters. This partnership will enable us to boost our volunteer training capabilities through expert support from JKM, in order to mobilise resources more swiftly and efficiently. At YSD, our commitment to the challenges faced by marginalised groups intensifies with each approaching flood season. This strategic collaboration will significantly strengthen our collective efforts to safeguard and enhance the well-being of vulnerable communities across Malaysia. There is much to do, and this is a real opportunity for all of us to help where it counts, and deliver the critical support where it is most needed.”
The ceremony honoured the exceptional contributions of volunteers from SD Guthrie, Sime Darby, and Sime Darby Property through the YSD Huluran Kasih and YSD Eco Citizen programmes. Over the past years, these volunteers have driven significant societal and environmental betterment with their dedication and expertise.
The Huluran Kasih programme, since 2018, has logged 55,883 hours with 6,185 volunteers, while the Eco Citizen programme, introduced in 2022, has since seen 786 volunteers dedicate 4,369 hours to 11 environmental initiatives promoting active engagement in conservation efforts.
This year’s VAC marked the second anniversary of the YSD Eco Citizen Award. Unlike the Huluran Kasih awards, which honour team efforts, the Eco Citizen Award recognises individual volunteers for their exceptional commitment and contributions to the Eco Citizen programme over the past year. This award emphasises the significance of individual actions in YSD’s collective environmental responsibility.
The employee volunteering programme at YSD has successfully cultivated a structures and impactful volunteer culture, expanding the community and environmental outreach. The Huluran Kasih programme offer flexible volunteering options, including team-based, individual, and skill-based volunteering to match employees’ diverse interests and expertise. Complementing this, the Eco Citizen programme offers educational and hands-on environmental conservation opportunities, responding to the increasing demands among employees to contribute to the protection of local ecosystems and fostering their role as champions of sustainability.
The ceremony awarded three categories – Best Volunteer Award Huluran Kasih, Best Volunteer Award Eco Citizen, and the Favourite Volunteer Award, each acknowledging the impact of volunteers on community health and environmental sustainability.
An exclusive meet-and-greet with John Beasley at the event celebrated his contributions to Malaysia’s sports, especially in advancing the national track cycling team. His expertise and support have been instrumental in elevating Malaysia’s performance in track cycling on the world stage.
An exhibition with YSD’s project partners Kechara Soup Kitchen, MERCY Malaysia, The Lost Food Project, and Global Environment Centre provided a medium into the various volunteering opportunities available through YSD’s partnerships.
In addition to YSD employee volunteer programmes, the foundation extends its volunteering opportunities to its scholarship recipients through the YSD THRIVE programme. This programme complements scholars’ academic pursuits with soft-skills training to nurture well-rounded individuals. Part of the programme includes opportunities for scholars to engage in practical volunteering experiences, such as regreening initiatives with YSD project partners, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship.
For more information or to get involved with YSD’s initiatives, visit YSD’s website.
