As the nation continues its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, UEM Sunrise Berhad (“UEM Sunrise” or the “Company”), one of Malaysia’s leading property developers embarked on a corporate social responsibility effort together with local social enterprise, Projek57, to distribute treats and goodies to the frontliners in Kuala Lumpur and Iskandar Puteri, Johor in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
UEM Sunrise which is the pioneer developer of Mont’Kiara and Iskandar Puteri, distributed a total of 1,500 sets of Raya cookies and unity ribbons, all enclosed in a special unity pouch. The pouches were distributed to police, RELA and army personnel manning roadblocks around the Kuala Lumpur and Iskandar Puteri area, as well as hospitals and fire departments in a show of appreciation of their sacrifices and efforts during the Raya period. The Company was represented by its CSR unit and Auxiliary Police frontliners in spreading the festive cheer.
All the items were ethically sourced from social enterprises at every step of the way. Projek57 aspires to inspire Malaysians with patriotism and unity whilst helping the needy and underprivileged youths through designing empowerment programmes for them, with product offerings of locally-designed t-shirts and merchandise.
Cloth for the unity pouches is hand-painted by Kuala Terengganu batik artisans under the Cotton and Sago collective. They were then handsewn by Earth Heir, an organization the empowers artisans from women’s cooperatives, indigenous tribes and refugee groups to create one of a kind jewellery, bags and pouches.
Meanwhile, the unity pouches contained baked cookies by youths with learning disabilities from G.O.L.D. (Generating Opportunities for Learning Disables). G.O.L.D. started The Kindness Cookie Project to sustain the training and economic empowerment of secondary school graduates and youths with learning disabilities so that members of the public can reach out with kindness, allowing them to live an independent and productive life.
Along with the cookies, the unity pouches contained two unity ribbons by Projek57. The unity ribbon represents hope for a better future for Malaysia and is handmade by the underprivileged and differently able. All profits from the sale will be channelled back to the needy via Projek57.
“We salute our frontliners who are doing a tremendous job for this nation. We appreciate their efforts and sacrifices for the safety of the public when they could have been at home spending time with their loved ones during this Raya celebrations.
“They have also been working so hard, rain or shine, since the beginning of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and well throughout the fasting month. The only way we can truly show our gratitude to them is by staying home and adhering to all guidelines and protocols to bring down the number of Covid-19 cases,” said Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of UEM Sunrise.
“We chose to embark on this #UnityIsMyHappy program together with Projek57 - besides showing our appreciation and bringing festive cheer for the frontliners – to also recognise the skills and talents of the less unfortunate and disabled while giving them the opportunity to earn an income” he added.
To that Projek57 co-founder Syed Sadiq Albar said: “We are heartened with this effort by UEM Sunrise to give the opportunity to these marginalized communities to earn an income. The MCO is already such a challenge to ordinary Malaysians, and would have no less affected the underprivileged many times fold.”
UEM Sunrise previously contributed personal protective equipment (PPE) and facemasks for healthcare frontliners as well as essential items and groceries to families affected by the Extended Movement Control Order. Together with its collaborative partners, Melati Ehsan Group and Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad, the Company also funded Hospital Kuala Lumpur in their purchase of a ventilator machine.
Driven by its brand values of C.H.I.E.F. which stands for Caring, Honest, Involved, Enthusiastic and Fun-Loving and tagline ‘Find Your Happy’, UEM Sunrise believes in helping its communities and customers to find their happiness and make the best in whatever circumstances.
The Covid-19 pandemic alters the way humans interact with each other. As a result, technology to communicate and to connect has become much more prevalent in the new normal of social distancing. Globally, chatbots have been an integral component of customer engagement for airlines, healthcare, telecommunications, retail, financial services, F&B as well as the news media. PLUS Malaysia Berhad’s (PLUS) “PUTRI” or PLUS Texting Realtime Interface can be considered the highway industry’s first ever chatbot.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated our lives to become more digitally dependent and tech-savvy. The increase of bandwidth usage in the Country and the world over is a sure sign that we are embracing the use of more gadgets and the communication experience is today more robust. Hence, our PUTRI will provide real time interface to the thousands of enquiries on straightforward highway information,” said PLUS Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid.
PUTRI is designed to interact with PLUS highway customers and over time, the interactive conversations through its Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning model will allow PUTRI to handle over 70% of the 1,500 calls which PLUS Traffic Monitoring Centre (TMC) receives averagely daily. Majority of the calls are request for standard highway information. With PUTRI’s support will enhance PLUS TMC service levels by allowing the personnel to focus more on emergency calls, conduct speedier and swifter coordination to assist customers in distress during traffic incidents. PUTRI Chatbot is easily accessible and more convenient as it provides better speed in providing responses and could reduce the waiting period for highway customers.
“PUTRI will be able to attend to multiple and simultaneous queries pertaining to PLUS highway service, toll fares, real-time traffic information, inquiries on PLUSMiles, product, facilities, promotions as well as events,” he said.
PLUS highway customers can interact with PUTRI’s Beta Version throughout the current public pilot phase, that was launched on 27th April 2020 on the PLUS website (www.plus.com.my) and the PLUSMiles portal (www.plusmiles.com.my) and 11th May 2020 for the PLUS Mobile App and will soon be available on Social Media platforms and WhatsApp application with its bilingual capability.
Targeted to be fully completed by Q3 2020, PLUS invites its highway customers to interact with PUTRI as part of its growing process and assist the development team to identify solutions to enhance its technical capabilities from public feedback.
PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) the nation’s longest interstate closed system highway, stretching over 1,100KM from Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka to Johor and Terengganu is advising Malaysians to be responsible by not risking themselves and others by attempting to travel between the states in an attempt to “balik Kampung” to celebrate Aidilfitri.
“We echo and support the authorities initiatives to flatten the spread of the Coronavirus. Understandably the new normal requires us to break tradition this Raya by staying safe at home and are only allowed to visit you close family, living within the same state. It would really a waste of our time, effort and sacrifice over these past 65 days, since 18 March when MCO began, should the Green Zones be infected because we did not act responsibly as a fellow Malaysian,” emphasised Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.
“The Police who are enforcing stringent roadblocks along our highways and errant travellers will be fined and be asked to turn back home,” cautioned Datuk Azman.
Under the extended Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) the public is banned from interstate travel and the Raya Balik Kampung journey is not exception. However, intrastate travel on PLUS highway is permissible. Despite the roadblocks along the mainline as well as interchanges, PLUSRonda patrol units continue to loop within their highway sections to keep travellers safe.
The suraus in the majority of the R&R’s plus laybys are closed, except the public washrooms and parking areas. However, selected R&R and laybys stall operators do offer take away food thanks to a newly upgraded PLUS app that has a pre-order function, reinforcing social distancing. However, food & beverages purchase via packages are available only at selected R&R stalls, at a total of 21 R&Rs, 2 Overhead Bridge Restaurants and 8 selected lay-bys operating from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. (Note: the operation hours are subjected to the instructions of the local authorities at the respective states).
Through its traffic trend analysis, PLUS anticipates that slightly over 1 million vehicles will be plying its highways during the Syawal festive season.
As standard safety practice during every festive season, PLUS Emergency Response Team (ERT) collaborates with highway safety and law enforcement partners including police, fire and rescue department and Civil Defence Force at several key strategic locations at the main toll plazas to provide support and emergency assistance during this Raya period.
To avoid any possible transmission of Covid-19, Highway customers are encouraged to reload their Touch ‘n Go cards, ensuring sufficient balance at petrol stations, Self-Service Kiosks (SSKs), convenience stores, ATM machines and other locations available nationwide before entering the highway. To find the nearest SSKs or reload centres visit www.touchngo.com.my.
PLUS has initiated the following to ensure its highways are safer and more comfortable for those who are traveling with their home state to celebrate Raya :-
Additionally, intrastate travellers can get the latest traffic information through PLUSTrafik Twitter, PLUSLine toll-free number at 1800 88 0000, PLUS Mobile Application, electronic signages along the highways and via local radio stations. They are also advised to use Waze and Google Map Applications to avoid congestion along the highways.
At the same time, the public can interact with the PLUS Chatbot, “PUTRI” and obtain various information ranging from traffic updates, toll fares, inquiries about PLUSMiles, product, facilities, promotions and events on the PLUS website (www.plus.com.my), PLUSMiles portal (www.plusmiles.com.my), and the PLUS Mobile App.
The Company’s Healthcare Support division has been proactively supporting frontline efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic across the region, where it presently serves over 300 hospitals in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and India. The division incurred an increase in operating and manpower costs in response to implementation of national minimum wage in Malaysia and Taiwan. As a result, for the period under review, the division registered a revenue of RM274.5 million and net profit of RM7.7 million as compared to RM270.9 million and RM27.7 million respectively in Q1 FY2019. On a positive note, the division was able to secure new contracts from the Sengkang General Hospital and Changi General Hospital in Singapore during this period.
Property & Facility Solutions (“PFS”) division recorded revenue and net profit of RM33.4 million and RM6.5 million compared to RM37.7 million and RM5.8 million respectively in the corresponding quarter last year. The division was recently awarded integrated facility management services contract for CIMB Berhad’s branch network and facilities nationwide, which increases PFS division’s operations coverage to over 300 buildings.
The Infrastructure Services division registered a revenue of RM167.4 million and net profit of RM8.8 million in Q1 FY2020 as compared to RM172.3 million and RM15.1 million respectively in Q1 FY2019, while the Asset Consultancy division, represented by Opus Consultants, recorded revenue and net profit of RM26.5 million and RM0.5 million as compared to RM35.0 million and RM0.7 million respectively Y-o-Y. Opus Consultants is currently the project management consultant for the Sarawak Coastal Road Network and Second Trunk Roads projects and has managed to secure the contract for Phase 2 of this project administered by the Sarawak state government which will derive various socio-economic benefits.
It does not take the usual traditions to keep the Raya festive cheer alive. With Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations expected to be a little different this year, UEM Sunrise Berhad (“UEM Sunrise” or the “Company”) brings hope and happiness to the celebration as expressed in its latest Hari Raya brand campaign, “Home is Where Raya is”.
One of Malaysia’s leading property developers and the pioneer developer of Iskandar Puteri and Mont’Kiara, UEM Sunrise invites all Malaysians to take part in the campaign by sharing videos and photos of their unique Hari Raya moments and preparations.
Through this campaign, UEM Sunrise intends to create some fun and get everyone involved from the comfort of their homes; yet remain connected to each other regardless of where they are.
UEM Sunrise Chief Marketing Officer Kenny Wong said this campaign is to show that anyone can still be joyful and spread cheer in their very own homes even at the most challenging of times.
“Hari Raya celebrations may not be the same without the usual gatherings and visits to the homes of those nearest and dearest. But it does not mean that we cannot create our own happy traditions during these times of a ‘new normal’ in light of the Conditional Movement Control Order. There are still plenty of other Hari Raya traditions that we can bring to our own home,” he said.
“Home is Where Raya is” is also a continuation of the award-winning “Rumah Happy Aidilfitri” campaign last year. The 2019 campaign told a story of two bickering brothers who ultimately put aside their differences to celebrate Hari Raya with their beloved grandma.
This year, in the days leading up to the celebration, the public is invited to share home activities during Ramadan such as performing tarawih prayers together, spending time with family; or preparing for the celebration including putting up decorations around the house, spring cleaning, ‘unboxing’ online purchased items for Raya; as well as the excitement on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri with the lighting up the lampu raya, playing with fireworks, and trying out Raya outfits.
To keep the Hari Raya spirit alive, participate in the campaign by sharing the videos and photos on your social media with hashtag #HomeIsWhereRayaIs. Tag @UEMSunrise on Facebook or @UEM_Sunrise on Instagram until 1 June 2020 and stand a chance to win up to RM3,000 in cash and other attractive prizes! The public is encouraged to be creative and innovative in their videos and photos submission.
Earn some serious bragging rights among your friends and family as your videos could be featured in UEM Sunrise’s Raya Film, set to premiere on the first week of Hari Raya on various social media channels.
You can also send in your Hari Raya Aidilfitri family portraits using the same hashtag #HomeIsWhereRayaIs to get together under ‘one roof’ with others celebrating the occasion as UEM Sunrise will stitch it to create the longest ever family photo on its Instagram feed.
“True to the brand tagline of ‘Find Your Happy’, we want to bring Malaysians on a journey of optimism and positivity. We have a lot to be thankful for this Hari Raya season; Malaysians are a resilient lot and I believe that Malaysia will bounce back stronger in the months to come as we are all in this together,” Kenny added.
Apart from the Hari Raya campaign, UEM Sunrise is also running a national marketing campaign concurrently themed “Home is Where the Happy is” with zero booking fees, stress-free subsidies and offers and more rewards to its customers.
For more information on the Hari Raya campaign visit www.homeiswhererayais.com.
Extremely busy and scary. That’s how UEM Edgenta’s (“UEM Edgenta” or “Company”) personnel at the front lines describe their work, as they fight to keep hospitals clean and disinfected to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Knowing that the virus can remain active up to three days on almost any visible surface in their work environment, motivates them further to ensure hospital surfaces are clean round the clock. The hospital cleaners are worried that in their attempt to eliminate all traces of the virus they, too, may become infected. But that has not stopped them from coming to work. To shed light on what it is really like being at the forefront of this pandemic, BERNAMA spoke to several of the Company’s hospital support services front liners from its wholly owned subsidiary, Edgenta UEMS Sdn. Bhd. (“Edgenta UEMS”), who shared how they safeguard themselves physically and emotionally, to continue delivering their daily routines throughout the current crisis.
The Board of UEM Edgenta Berhad (“UEM Edgenta” or “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Syahrunizam Samsudin as its new Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer (“MD/CEO”) effective 1 July 2020. Syahrunizam takes over from Dato’ Azmir Merican, who left UEM Edgenta in April 2020.
“We are pleased to welcome Syahrunizam as the MD/CEO of UEM Edgenta Berhad. He is a proven leader with business vision and experience in engineering and technology which will benefit the Company in our next phase of product expansion, innovation and growth,” said Tan Sri Dr. Azmil Khalid, Chairman of the UEM Edgenta Board of Directors.
Syahrunizam was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Touch ‘n Go Sdn. Bhd. in 2015 and oversaw its commendable growth in the digital financial services sector. His experience will play an important role to ensure UEM Edgenta continues its sustainable growth and long-term strategic plans.
He has held numerous leadership roles prior to his time with Touch ‘n Go, including as Chief Executive Officer of MTU Services Sdn. Bhd., President of Scomi Engineering Berhad, as well as being involved in the setting up of technology ventures such as SBS Technology Solutions and ATA Plus. He also played a leading role in the setting up of iPerintis (currently Petronas ICT Sdn. Bhd.) and later became its Chief Operating Officer and Head of Operations.
Syahrunizam holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance), both from The Australian National University. He is also an alumnus of Advanced Management Programmes from Harvard Business School, United States, and IMD Business School, Switzerland.
PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) estimates that over 300,000 Gerak Malaysia applicants will be plying all routes including the expressways, beginning from Wesak day, 7th May (Thursday) to 10th May (Sunday). This one-off exemption allows Malaysians who have been stranded in other states and wishes to return to their home of origin, particularly for work purposes, during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
“The Police has informed us that the travel will be in stages over the duration of the 4 days. On the first day on 7th May, those whose Gerak Malaysia application has been approved will depart from Kuala Lumpur to their desired destination. On the second day, on 8th May, those who are stranded in Perak, Johor and Kelantan will be able to make their way cross country, while those who are in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Melaka and Pahang will journey from Saturday, 9th of May and on Sunday, 10th May, the final day of Gerak Malaysia, those who has been in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu when the MCO was implemented may travel back to their homes,” explained Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.
“While the purpose of Gerak Malaysia is to enable fellow Malaysians to return to their homes, we are mindful that their safety and comfort when traveling back are of utmost importance, especially in these precarious times,” added Datuk Azman.
PLUS, has implemented the SOPs in accordance to the National Security Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) from phase 1 of the MCO on 18th March.
Every traveller is advised to adopt social distancing by ensuring their Touch ‘n Go cards are topped up before entering the highway, as all cash transactions with Customer Service Assistants (CSA) are prohibited. This prohibition is in place to eliminate the plausible transmission of the Coronavirus, thus flattening the Covid-19 spread.
PLUS’s advice is to check one’s Touch ‘n Go card to ensure there is sufficient balance. The conveniently located reload zones include petrol stations, Self-Service Kiosks (SSK), convenience stores and at ATM machines. To find the nearest SSKs or reload centres visit www.touchngo.com.my
In accordance to the SOPs announced by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), highway customers will only be allowed to stop at R&R, Lay-by and Toll Plaza parking area to rest in their vehicles. They are only allowed to alight from their vehicle to use the public washroom facilities. Customers are to adhere to the social distancing markers when queueing at the R&R and lay-by public restrooms.
All suraus are closed and no food will be available at the R&R’s and laybys throughout the 4-day duration of Gerak Malaysia and petrol stations will only be operating from 6am to 12midnight, for refuelling convenience.
The highway frontline patrolling units, the PLUSRonda will be traversing the expressway on 24-hour loops to ensure the safety of travellers and can be easily contacted via the PLUSLine 1800-88-0000. This emergency toll-free number is available in the PLUS Mobile App, which can be downloaded for free, directly from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. It also enables the user to receive the latest traffic updates for the PLUSTrafik Twitter account.
Before embarking on one’s Gerak Malaysia journey, it is advisable to use Waze or Google Map to avoid congestion on the highway and while travelling to be alert of traffic instructions from the many electronic signages along the 1,131.4KM stretch.
PLUS is confident all highway customers who stringently follow the Gerak Malaysia travel advisory will reach their desired destination safely.
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