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B E R I TA
KDNPP 5365/10/2012 (031031) ISSUE 67 | JAN - MAR 2020
prices,
Rising prices,
Tighter
Tightermeasures?
budgets
Time to Trim! Stretch your Ringgit! Trash to Treasure
Sunway staff share their Tips to maximise Sunway Group is leading the way
take on rising cost of living expenditure efficiency with sustainable waste initiatives
FROM THE CHAIRMAN’S DESK FEATURES B E R I TA
03 | New Year Message 08 - 09 | Trash to Treasure
by Sunway Group Sunway Group is leading the way
Founder and Chairman with sustainable waste initiatives ISSUE 67 | JAN - MAR 2020
Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO
10 | A Sweet and Spicy Delight from
ON THE COVER Sheffield
CONTENTS
04 - 05 | Rising Prices, Sunway University alumnus shares
Tighter Measures? the struggles, joy and inspiration
The persistent high cost of living behind his artisanal chilli paste
remains a common threat among enterprise in an exclusive interview
Malaysians, an issue policy makers
and economists have struggled
to solve
TIPS & AWARDS
06 | Stretch your Ringgit!
Tips to maximise expenditure ADVISORS
Tan Sri Datuk Seri Razman M. Hashim
efficiency Ong Pang Yen
EDITORIAL BOARD
06 | Superlative Sunway Yap Shi Han | yapsh@sunway.com.my
Recognising Sunway’s achievements May Lim | limmk@sunway.com.my
Anis Shakirah Mohd Muslimin | anissmm@sunway.com.my
Tabitha Revi | tabithar@sunway.com.my
PUBLISHER
12
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
Sunway Group Brand Marketing & Communications
REGISTERED ADDRESS
Sunway Management Sdn Bhd
Level 16, Menara Sunway
Jalan Lagoon Timur, Bandar Sunway
HEROES OF SUNWAY 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
06
Tel: +603 5639 8889
11 | A Fighter and Paralympian with URL: www.sunway.com.my
a Heart of Gold THIS IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION
Assistant manager by day and athlete The views and opinions expressed or implied
in Berita Sunway are those of the authors and
by night, there is more to Tan Kok do not necessarily reflect those of Sunway Group.
Ming than meets the eye Unsolicited transparencies and articles are sent
at owner’s risk and the Publisher accepts no liability
for loss or damage.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
12 | Doing Good by Giving Back ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
©Copyright 2020
Berita Sunway spoke to three by Sunway Group Brand Marketing &
beneficiaries from our year-end Communications.
corporate responsibility campaign Wish to be on our mailing list? Contact us at:
SUNWAY GROUP BRAND MARKETING
FEATURES & COMMUNICATIONS
Level 18 Menara Sunway
13 | From Farm to Fork Jalan Lagoon Timur, Bandar Sunway
Fostering growth through urban 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
10
Tel: +603 5639 8793/8198
farming
Send us your feedback at
groupbrandmarketing@sunway.com.my
14 - 15 | Revitalising a Sleepy Suburb
Sunway Velocity is the only integrated DESIGN BY ADASIA (M) SDN BHD
Printed on environmentally-friendly paper.
VOICES OF SUNWAY development in Cheras that has six
07 | Time to Trim! key components of retail, healthcare, Information is correct at the time of printing.
Sunway staff share their take on residential, hospitality, education and PRINTING BY KUAN PRESS SDN BHD
rising cost of living commercial No 1, Jalan Perindustrian PP 7
Taman Perindustrian Putra Permai
43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Tel: +603 8959 2332
2
Last year, the Group embarked on a journey of digital
transformation. This initiative is vital and necessary for us to
stay ahead of the game, in what has been dubbed the Age of
Disruption. The rapid advance of technology — especially in
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning — increasingly fickles
consumer tastes and shifting population demographics mean that
we cannot afford to rest on our laurels.
FROM THE CHAIRMAN'S DESK
But we cannot overcome the challenges of this digital age by
using analogue mind-sets. We need new ways of thinking and
operating to succeed in an Information Economy that is centred
around collection and analysis of massive amounts of data.
In this context, I am delighted to announce that Sunway Group
has now developed a 13th division called Sunway Digital. It will
be pioneering technological advances to ramp up our business
strategies, processes and ventures through artificial intelligence,
automation and big data. This division will focus on fuelling
innovation to enable the Group to discover new possibilities for
growth.
While the establishment of Sunway Digital marks a major
milestone in our digital transformation journey, it does not mean
by Sunway Group Founder and Chairman that everything digital will be consigned solely to that division.
This journey will require that every single individual and division to
Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO adapt to the demands of this new era.
Many important factors have contributed to the continued
growth and success of our Sunway Group over the past four
decades or so. I’ll highlight just two here.
The first and most important is our workforce. It is their
commitment, dedication, loyalty and creativity that have brought
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
Sunway Group to where it is today. We are now one of Malaysia’s
largest conglomerates, operating in 50 locations across the region.
We have grown to a staff strength of 16,000, while our three public-
listed entities command a total market capitalisation of almost
RM17 bil.
We have achieved this by working together, helping one
another and contributing, each in our own way, in a collective effort
to the Group’s success.
It is my hope that even as we expand and grow as a
corporation, we will continue to strengthen our teamwork and to
closely collaborate rather than work in individual silos.
The second factor that has contributed immensely to our
success is our Values. At Sunway Group, we have three core
values: Integrity, Humility and Excellence.
Integrity is about conducting ourselves with honesty and
trustworthiness — every day, in every moment. It is about being
professional, ethical and honest. It is about not just doing the right
thing, but doing things right.
Humility reminds us to be humble, polite and respectful. It is
about displaying empathy, and demonstrating daily that we care
First of all, I would like to wish you and your families a very and listen. It reminds us that no matter how much we think we
Happy New Year. It was revitalising after a good break over the know, we still have a lot more to learn. Which is why, at Sunway,
holidays. I trust we are now recharged and ready to face the we emphasise and promote the value of lifelong learning.
challenges that 2020 has in store for us. Excellence is about delivering high-quality products and
While 2019 was indeed a tough year for most industries, services in whatever sector we are engaged in. It is about
I am proud to share that Sunway Group continues to achieve constantly pursuing the highest standards in all that we do, and
commendable growth. In fact, we have outperformed our peers serving as an example for others to emulate.
not just over the last 12 months, but over the last few years. I am firmly convinced that by working together as a team, by
And that is all down to the dedication, talent and creativity of consistently upholding our values and by advancing our digital
our workforce. They have shown that at Sunway, we rise to the transformation goals, Sunway Group is well prepared to weather
challenges which come our way and respond with determination the economic headwinds that may come our way in 2020.
and hard work to strive for excellence. The year was also notable And as we continue our efforts towards taking Sunway Group
for the many achievements we chalked up, thanks to everyone’s to new heights, I trust we will do so with integrity as our guide,
immense effort in making the impossible, possible. humility as our virtue and the pursuit of excellence as our choice.
There were many accolades, awards, successful business
ventures, new launches, collaborations and initiatives throughout We are all in this together.
3
the year by the various business divisions.
ON THE COVER
RISING PRICES,
TIGHTER MEASURES?
The persistent high cost of living remains a common threat among
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
Malaysians, an issue policy makers and economists have struggled to solve
INSUFFICIENT INCOME GROWTH
Twenty-three year old Ch’ng Zhu Lin is feeling the pinch The World Bank report found that when it comes to making
from the rising cost of living. The finance executive from Sunway ends meet, Malaysians faced four issues — consumer price
Property Finance in Sunway Iskandar spends most of his income inflation, insufficient income, poor financial well-being and
(RM2,600) on monthly expenditure. shortage of affordable housing.
Rent constitutes a third of his income (RM1,100) while other “Prices have to be raised, but at levels that are relative to
major expenses include food and groceries (RM900), medical and the quality increase and value of the product or service to the
personal accident insurance (RM300), utilities (RM120), transport consumer. It has to be in line with income increases,” said Yeah
(RM80) and miscellaneous items such as household items, Kim Leng, Sunway University Business School Professor of
subscriptions, social activities and haircuts (RM100). Economics and Economic Studies Programme Director at the
“Housing is unaffordable and renting is currently the only Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia. Yeah is also a member
option that makes sense. I’m aware that there are cheaper rental of Bank Negara’s monetary policy committee.
rates being offered, however they are either with unsuitable While there may be average wage increases, Yeah noted that
living conditions or are located so far away that I would have to a big segment of the working population are not entitled to wage
purchase a vehicle to travel for work,” he said. increases, such as minimum wage earners, who currently earn
To adapt to the rising cost of living, Ch’ng has resorted to RM1,100 per month.
taking cold showers to save electricity and water, walks more “With stagnant wages and inflation rising by 1% to 2%, you are
often to cut reliance on public transport and buys household unable to cope with price increases because your wage increase
items in bulk during sales and promotions. is actually lower than the average increase in price of basket of
Ch’ng is just one of the many Malaysians struggling with the goods and services consumed by a household, or Consumer Price
rising cost of living in the country. Figures by the Gallup World Index (CPI),” he said.
Poll cited by the World Bank’s latest Malaysia Economic Monitor According to the World Bank report, while median incomes
report, ‘Making Ends Meet’ (MEM), showed that three in 10 outpaced inflation, income growth rates for low-income
Malaysians felt that they did not have enough money to put food Malaysians slowed between 2014 and 2016, with wage growth for
on the table, while one in five believed that they had insufficient younger and less educated workers trailing the earnings of older
funds for housing, as of 2018. and better educated workers. The report showed that median
According to the report, the number of Malaysians who felt employment income for younger workers aged between 20 and 29
financially strapped has doubled since 2012, particularly among grew at an annual rate of 2.4%, compared to 3.9% for those aged
urban dwellers, where poll results more than tripled from 8.6% 40 to 49 over the same period.
to 28.7% in 2018. When incomes cannot keep up with the rising costs of living,
4
Malaysians, particularly the B40 group, are unable to save money.
In the Budget 2020, the government announced the increase
AFFORDABLE HOUSING WOES of the minimum wage rate to RM1,200 effective January 1, 2020
in 57 cities and municipalities across Malaysia.
When talking about the cost of living, one cannot avoid “We need to raise our income level, and raise productivity
discussing asset prices such as house prices and car prices, to move up the value chain so that employers can pay higher
said Yeah. wages. This will allow us to not compete on cost but on product
“In Malaysia,we have experienced double-digit increases for or services value-added features. But this boils down to skills
over 4 to 5 years consecutively between 2011 to 2018, which of and technological capabilities. We need to continue investing
into R&D and innovate,” said Yeah.
ON THE COVER
course has an impact on affordability because income increases
lag behind house price increases. Property is a key area that Enhancing the skills and educational level of the workforce
pushes up our cost of living,” he said. are other keys to improving opportunities and higher paying jobs,
While housing prices have eased off in recent years with the he said.
rate of increases turning negative for some property segments, Employers also need to adopt a more humanistic,
the current price level is still very high, Yeah said. compassionate approach towards remunerating employees by
The MEM report highlighted that the lack of affordable focusing on stakeholders and the United Nations Sustainable
housing is severe among households earning less than Development Goals (SDGs) instead of solely profits, said Yeah.
RM5,000, with 55% of households from Corporations should focus on training and incentivising staff
this income bracket in KL and 63% in for upskilling.
Petaling District lacking access to
affordable housing.
In October, Bank Negara SUNWAY DOES ITS PART
said that houses in Malaysia
were considered unaffordable Addressing the issue of home affordability, Sunway Property
by international standards, launched its 'Super 5' easy home ownership scheme last year to
adding that there is a ease home ownership for Malaysians. Offering 95% guaranteed
mismatch between the growth financing for eligible buyers, the scheme allowed purchasers to
in income and growth in the pay RM5,000 to own a unit, waived stamp duty and an interest-
property prices in the market. free flexi instalment plan for 24 months for the differential sum.
“Among the main challenges Malaysians face in purchasing
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
PROFESSOR YEAH KIM LENG property are loan rejection from the bank, inability to pay the
Sunway University Business School Professor of Economics upfront cost when purchasing a property and inability to obtain
and Economic Studies Programme Director at the Jeffrey the loan margin that they want. On top of the scheme benefits,
Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia we also engaged a third party to conduct a financial health check
for our customers and to advise customers on how to plan their
financing,” said Sunway Property Marketing and Sales General
RISING FOOD PRICES Manager Wendy Wang.
As a result of the campaign, Sunway Property saw an year-
on-year increase of over 30% in sales. Following the success of
Figures from the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s the 'Super 5' campaign, Sunway Property rolled out 'Yours 2020'
Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2014 showed that campaign early this year.
Malaysians spend an average of 30% of their household income Sunway Education Group (SEG) is also doing its part to help
on food, with those living in the rural areas and income group students address the rising cost of living by offering scholarships
below RM3,000 spending almost 40% of their income on food. to needy students, as well as boosting financial literacy among
According to Federation of Malaysian Consumers students.
Associations (FOMCA), the prices of local food items have been With over 30 different types of scholarships catering to
rising due to monopolistic practices in the supply chain. requirements ranging from academic excellence to financial
Malaysia’s weak ringgit currency exchange rate also neediness, SEG has many need-based scholarships to
drives up the prices of imported food, which adversely affects provide financial support to individuals from underprivileged
consumers. Food imports are also subject to international communities with access to quality education.
market demand and supply, and subsequently sudden These include the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Community
price shocks. Scholarship that is offered to children from NGOs and welfare
Yeah believes that the government will need to enhance homes. The scholarship covers full tuition and other general
agricultural productivity and yield by adopting advanced fees, on-campus accommodation, book allowance, monthly
technology to improve the country’s food sufficiency if it were to allowance and pocket money of RM400 per month.
address food prices in the long term. As of 2019, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation has disbursed more
than RM482 mil worth of scholarship and grants to thousands of
qualified and deserving students.
MEASURES TO TACKLE RISING COSTS Sunway Education Group Director of Student Life Lee Siok
Ping said SEG also engaged financial planners to run financial
In October 2019, the Malaysian government launched literacy workshops for students, to give them an idea about
the Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) blueprint, with the aim of financial planning and investment. “This long-term initiative is
providing a decent living standard for all Malaysians, regardless in line with the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation’s founding principle of
of ethnicity, social class and location by 2030. Among the SPV’s giving back to the society by providing educational opportunities
developmental objectives are to address inequalities such as to improve an individual’s quality of life and break the cycle of
wealth and income disparities to narrow the economic gap poverty,” she said. 5
between different income household groups.
SUPERLATIVE
Recognising Sunway’s
STRETCH achievements
YOUR SUNWAY
TIPS & AWARDS
RINGGIT! 3. REMARKABLE RETURNS
Sunway Construction Group Berhad
(SunCon) clinched the Highest Return
Tips to maximise on Equity Over Three Years award for
the construction sector at The Edge
expenditure efficiency 1. LEADING THE WAY
Billion Ringgit Club Awards 2019.
Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO, Sunway SunCon's total equity has increased
Group Founder and Chairman as well steadily over the last five years, from
Review your utility bills
1 Regularly check in with your local
as Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF)
Founder and Trustee, was named among
RM380.21 mil in FY2014 to RM592.5
mil in FY2018.
telco, cable TV and Internet service Forbes Asia's Heroes of Philanthropy
providers for special offers or 2019 — his third time on the definitive
cheaper deals. list. The list highlights 30 of the most
generous and impactful philanthropists
Sweat the small stuff in budgeting in Asia-Pacific. He was also named
2 Analyse your daily spending habits
Global Outstanding Hakka Personality
and Outstanding Malaysia Hakka Award
and see what can be changed. at the 30th World Hakka Conference, in
Instead of buying coffee, make your light of his contributions to the nation 4. SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
own. Wash your own car and pack and Southeast Asia as a prominent
your lunch from home. It’s easier to Hakka leader. For his legacy through Sunway Malls is the first group of malls
make small changes than big ones. JCF, as well as his vision, innovation, in APAC region to win Leadership Award
and leadership in the development from the Forest Stewardship Council
and sustained growth of the Sunway Asia Pacific Region. Sunway Malls is
Learn to cut back
3 Keep to a budget. Track your
Group, he was awarded Asia’s Lifetime
Achievement Award 2019 from Fortune
acknowledged for their leadership
role in advocating and educating the
spending to find out where importance of forest sustainability.
Times, a Singapore-based business
your money is going and trim
magazine at its 5th Fortune Times
unnecessary expenditure.
Awards Ceremony.
Increase your income
4 Take up a part-time job during your
spare time on the weekends or
after work hours. The gig economy
promises plenty of freelance 5. BRANDING SUPREMACY
opportunities, from translation
work, event photography to being a Sunway Group swept four accolades at
ride-sharing driver.
2. CONTRACTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE the Putra Brand Awards 2019, including
SunCon was named Contractor Putra Malaysian Marketer of the
of The Year Award at the Year — the highest achievement at the
Check out your benefits
5 Malaysian Construction Industry awards. Sunway University won gold in
The local government offers various Excellence Awards (MCIEA) 2019, the Education and Learning Category,
incentives and subsidies for a variety showcasing overall excellence in Sunway Property clinched silver in
of groups such as the handicapped, company performance and project the Property Development Category
elderly, B40 group or newlyweds. implementation. Previously, SunCon while Sunway Lagoon won silver in the
Besides senior citizen rates for had won the MCIEA Builder of The Entertainment Category. Demonstrating
admission to public areas of interest, Year Award in 2003, 2005 and 2013 branding excellence in the region,
some eateries have ‘Kids eat free’ respectively. SunCon won the Industry Sunway Pyramid received the 2019
special offers for young children. Excellence Award in the construction Asia's Top Influential Brands Award
sector for its 2018 annual report in the shopping mall category from
at the National Annual Corporate Singapore-based think tank Influential
Plan ahead for meals
6 Report Awards 2019. The award Brands for the second consecutive year.
This prevents unnecessary spending reflects SunCon's commitment Influential Brands identifies, engages
on excess groceries you don’t need. towards upholding high standards and recognises outstanding high-
6
of governance, transparency and ranking executives, employers, and
disclosure of information. brands throughout Asia.
TIME TO TRIM!
Sunway staff share their take on rising cost of living
VOICES OF SUNWAY
Prices have soared, income has stagnated, or in We are mindful of our grocery shopping,
some cases like mine, actually reduced. I moved in to comparing prices before any purchase, and chose to
a new house last year and it costed a lot of money as buy promotional items or non-perishable
we needed to furnish the house. items in bulk.
How am I coping financially with my family? However, I do see light at the end of
Barely. Our savings have been wiped out. We have the tunnel as our short-term extra loans
taken multiple small loans to cover immediate only have a year or two more to go. I
payments, cancelled our child's art and ballet classes foresee my wife and I earning more in the
and limit my meals to an average of RM3 per day. near future. Besides that, my daughter is
How do I manage? I only consume rice and becoming increasingly independent and
veggies at cheap eateries. It costs me only RM3 we may discontinue her school day care.
for the food and 20 cents more if I need I believe the economy will improve by
a glass of plain water. We have also mid of next year. I am not into politics, but
cut down on our family outings. I hope those in charge will do the right
thing to get Malaysia’s economy moving
forward. I hope that my prediction is right,
else, I will need to get another part-time job
to make ends meet.
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
Kenny Rajendran Loovi, 43, Sunway Winstar
The sluggish economy that we are experiencing is not Secondly, we switched from eating out frequently to
inclusive only to Malaysians. It is a worldwide economic eating healthier meals at home. My husband and I take
slowdown, notably due to the trade war between the US turns to cook. We try to stay healthy and avoid unnecessary
and China as well as climate change that has caused many visits to the doctor, hence reducing medical costs.
costly natural disasters. As an educator, I often highlight the real economic
Everyone is and will be affected. The real question is situations to my finance students. They use yield curve in
how do we cope with it? As a former economist at Asian my Fixed Income Portfolio Management class to forecast
Development Bank and Bank Negara Malaysia and currently the future direction of the economy, and as predicted, the
a Finance Senior Lecturer, I can testify with full conviction flattish yield curve of Malaysian government bond shows
that I am also affected by the rising cost of living. economic uncertainty.
It takes a toll especially when we have I’ve introduced them to investment and trading, in hopes
children — food, necessities and education that with their knowledge, proper strategy and wisdom, they
expenditure. These expenses are inevitable will be able to make some income from the stock market.
and are not something we can sacrifice as Last but not least, I am always looking out for
it is essential for their future. ‘free lunch' aka scholarship opportunities, free online
Let me share several measures that courses from top universities, free talks by distinguished
I have taken to cope with the situation. scholars, and more to continuously upskilling myself
First and foremost, delayed gratification. and my children.
I stopped buying unnecessary items. It is crucial to educate oneself on better financial
For instance, new clothes that I don’t really planning and be inquisitive of the many opportunities and
need but is of the latest fashion. alternatives out there. Malaysia Boleh!
In other words, I am more prudent with
my expenditure and I am only spending on neccesities.
Likewise, I teach my children the value of money and the
importance of saving up for their future.
Dr Nur Ain Shahrier, 38, Sunway University Business School
7
TRASH TO TREASURE
Sunway Group is leading the way with sustainable waste initiatives
FEATURES
From food scraps and clothes that are discarded Responsible Consumption and Production.
into the rubbish bins to used cooking oil poured SDG 12 aims to ensure sustainable consumption
down the sinks, improperly disposed waste has and production patterns through various targets
serious implications on our health, the environment — substantially reducing waste generation through
and our community. prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse; reducing
These poorly managed waste can destroy global food waste at the retail and consumer levels,
marine life, disrupt water supply, pose dangerous and reduce food losses along production and
living conditions for at-risk communities, and supply chains.
generate more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Malaysians generate more than 38,000 tonnes
of waste daily, contributing a total of 3.1 mil tonnes
of solid waste to the landfills in 2018.
According to the World Bank’s ‘What a Waste
2.0’ 2018 report, only 13.5% of global waste is
recycled and only 5.5% is composted — a third of
the global waste is improperly managed by being
dumped or openly burned.
In line with its commitment to the United
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and its #SunwayforGood movement towards
building a sustainable environment, economy and
society, Sunway Group is leading the way with its
sustainable waste initiatives aligned with SDG 12 of
FUELED BY WASTE
In November, Sunway Hotels & Resorts signed a partnership drains from getting clogged up due to fats build-up. It also
with FatHopes Energy to recycle its used cooking oil into helps the environment by reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the
biodiesel. transport sector, which limits GHG emissions. "By partnering
Under the initiative, more than 50% of the used cooking with FatHopes Energy, we are assured of not only the conversion
oil generated by the Group’s six participating hotels would of the used cooking oil into an ecologically beneficial energy
be collected by FatHopes Energy every week at the hotels’ stream but also to the environment, which has become a priority
respective collection centres. FatHopes Energy then recycles the to the business while being mindful towards the efficiency of our
oil, converting it into biodiesel. operations and stakeholders value," said Colin Yeoh, Sunway
Recycling used cooking oil prevents the sewage lines and Hotels & Resorts Group Director of Food & Beverage.
8
Sunway Group is committed to
advancing the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals,
one of which is halving Malaysia’s
food waste by 2030 — a pledge made
by our local government. If we, the
nation, continue at our current rate,
FEATURES
this pledge would not be met. The
Food CPR campaign is one of our
clear commitments to changing food
waste habits in Malaysia.
DATO’ JEFFREY NG,
Sunway REIT
Chief Executive Officer
FROM FOOD WASTE TO PLANT FOOD
Every day, Sunway Pyramid’s food & beverage (F&B) tenants
generate a total of 2.4 tonnes of food waste. Rather than dumping
food scraps, Sunway Pyramid teamed up with Sunway Real Estate
Investment Trust (REIT) and Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, to turn
food waste into useful fertiliser.
In September, the mall launched the ‘Food CPR - Compost.
Plant.Reduce’ campaign, which involved collecting food waste
from participating tenants to be processed into compost using a
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
compost machine.
The compost machine can process up to 500 litres of food
waste per day, saving 180,000 litres of food waste from landfills
every year. Sunway Velocity Hotel and Sunway Lagoon Theme Park.
Shoppers participated in pot decorating and seed planting (See box for exact locations)
workshops, as well as redeemed free seeds and compost
throughout the Food CPR event. Sunway Putra Mall’s journey in tackling textile waste began
Free compost is available for the public at the mall’s compost with a 2017 campaign to raise textile waste recycling awareness.
collection spot, located at B1 Blue Zone (near CK Dental). The mall’s 10.5 metre-high lantern made from recycled fabrics —
a joint-effort with Kloth Cares — was recognised in the Malaysia
Book of Records for the Tallest Lantern Made of Recycled
UPCYCLING UNWANTED FABRICS Fabrics. The initiative won the mall the 2018 International
Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation Asia-Pacific
In 2018, Malaysians threw away 63,000 tonnes of fabric waste Community Support Award and a US$10,000 grant, at the ICSC
into the landfills. Fabric waste has a negative environmental Asia-Pacific Shopping Centers Awards. The grant was channeled
impact due to a number of reasons. For starters, textile to Kloth Cares.
dyeing is the second largest polluter of clean water globally “The core objective behind providing a ‘recycling corner’
while microplastics from synthetic clothing pollute the water, in the mall is to promote the importance of recycling among
endangering aquatic life and adversely affecting the food chain. shoppers. To align with the UN SDGs, Sunway Putra Mall is
Toxic chemicals in fertilisers used for cotton crops also committed to providing a better environment by reducing the
disrupt the natural ecosystem and are health hazards to humans number of clothes waste in landfills,” said Phang Sau Lian,
and livestock. Sunway Putra Mall General Manager.
To address fabric waste, Sunway Putra Mall collaborated
with social enterprise Kloth Cares to launch a permanent
fabric recycling corner in its carpark (B1 C area) in early LOCATIONS OF TEXTILE RECYLING BINS
2019. Unwanted garments are then distributed to partner IN SUNWAY PROPERTIES
organisations Life Line Clothing and the Selangor Youth • Kelab Sosial Sunway (Level B1, Menara Sunway)
Community to be upcycled into wiping cloths, blankets, rugs,
• The Pinnacle Sunway (Level LGA, basement carpark)
handbags and scarves, depending on the clothes’ condition.
• Sunway University (Foyer near the grand piano)
The recycling corner was set up in response to the mall’s
recycling collection drive in February 2019, where it amassed • Sunway College (Boulevard)
more than 2,000 kg of unwanted clothing, including 12,000 • Sunway International School (pick up and drop-off area)
T-shirts. • Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa (Level 9, next to elevator
Taking a leaf from Sunway Putra Mall, Sunway Group has after staff entrance)
since placed fabric recycling bins at various Sunway-owned • Sunway Putra Hotel (Level 7, by staff entrance)
establishments, namely Menara Sunway, The Pinnacle Sunway, • Sunway Velocity Hotel (Level B1, by staff entrance)
Sunway University, Sunway College, Sunway International • Sunway Lagoon Theme Park (Entrance near 9
School, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Sunway Putra Hotel, Canopy Walk)
A SWEET AND SPICY
DELIGHT FROM
SHEFFIELD
FEATURES
Sunway University alumnus shares the struggles, joy
and inspiration behind his artisanal chilli paste enterprise
in an exclusive interview
Budding entrepreneur and Sunway University alumnus William
Chew won the hearts of the masses after sharing his inspirational
entrepreneurial journey, which included overcoming social anxiety,
on BBC’s hit television programme, Dragons’ Den. The chilli paste
aficionado is the face behind Mak Tok, a Sheffield-based artisanal
chilli paste enterprise.
If you didn’t ask him, you probably wouldn’t have guessed the
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
bubbly, witty and easy-going 28-year-old William Chew, Sunway
University alumnus (Class 2013) and chilli paste entrepreneur, lives
with social anxiety.
Dragons' Den offers aspiring entrepreneurs three minutes to
pitch their business ideas to five multi-millionaires, or Dragons,
who are willing to invest. Chew's inspiration pitch brought Sara
Davies — a venture capitalist, television personality, and 'Dragon'— supermarket, Ocado. To date, it’s sold up to 25,000 jars of chilli
to tears and garnered 1.2 million video views on BBC’s YouTube paste in retail.
channel. Davies invested £50,000 in his chilli paste business. Chew plans to expand the business to other regions in
Chew's appearance on the BBC show not only shot him to England. He hopes his business will break even by next year and
instant fame, making headlines in England and Malaysia, but also be profitable by end of next year. Chew, his cousin and co-founder
helped Chew get connected to notable players in various industries. Ng Shang Yin, and Davies, each own one third of the company.
“I knew I had social anxiety from a very young age. I was always The British outfit’s products are made of all natural
afraid to go on stage, but everyone thought it was just stage fright,” ingredients. Sourcing high quality ingredients from suppliers is
said Chew, who plays music to cope with his social anxiety. “To me another one of Mak Tok’s unique selling points. But getting these
music itself is a therapy.” ingredients at cheap and affordable prices is no easy feat. The
Being an entrepreneur meant Chew had to appear in public solution? Work with the right people. To him, “what you know, is
more frequently, but that enabled him to learn new ways to cope not as important as who you know in business."
with his disorder. “Every presentation on Mak Tok became easier Besides his radiant and positive attitude, Chew is also fondly
and better,” he said. recognised for his green baju Melayu, which has become a
It was particularly difficult for Chew to manage his social mainstay and part of his public persona.
anxiety after moving to England for his studies, spending almost “My identity itself has always been Malaysian. To be able to
six out of seven days cooped up at home. “It was a difficult issue to stand in front of the world and share this culture is truly
share, but I felt that it was important to let people know that even if a blessing.”
you have social anxiety, you can be an achiever,” he said.
Chew points to his mother as the inspiration behind his own
FUN FACT
burgeoning culinary success. Missing his mother, Agnes Kong’s The company was named in honour of a kind-hearted
home cooking, the Penang-born Chew “nicked” her recipe and lady called Mak Tok to commemorate her death from
decided to recreate her Malaysian chilli paste! In May 2017, Mak breast cancer.
Tok was born — Chew was still undergoing his MA in Psychology in
Music at University of Sheffield then. The rest, is history! SUCCESS
• Winner - Evolve Business Competition (2017)
The £100K Mak Tok business currently sells four different
• Winner - Fine Food Digest Editor’s Choice (2018)
types of chilli pastes: Signature Chilli Paste, Satay Chilli Paste,
• Finalist - The Pitch by Deloitte
Sweet Chilli Paste, and Fire Chilli Paste in farm shops, delis and • Finalist - Sheffield Business Award (2017)
10
supermarkets (30 stockists overall) across England’s northern • Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Award (2018)
regions, Yorkshire and Lancashire as well as through online BritishA FIGHTER AND PARALYMPIAN WITH
A HEART OF GOLD
Assistant manager by day and athlete by night,
HEROES OF SUWNAY
there is more to Tan Kok Ming than meets the eye
Tan Kok Ming was only five years old when he discovered he ”So it wasn’t surprising when Kok Ming also reminded the writer
was different from his peers. that despite his situation, more people in the world had it worse.
Born with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder triggered by Kok Ming is also appreciative of Sunway, which he feels
a congenital brain defect, Kok Ming’s condition meant he lacked provides the disabled with proper resources and facilities. “Sunway
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
strength and control on the left side of his body. “I realised early on has provided people with disability the right opportunities,” said
that I could only use one side of my body,” he said. Kok Ming, who has been with the group for 13 years.
Cerebral palsy also affects a person’s posture, balance and His Buddhist belief also shapes a large part of his identity
ability to move, communicate, eat, sleep and learn. It can be found and personality. He dedicates time cleaning up sacred spaces at
in one to two of every 2,000 babies born, and is 10 times more religious institutions he’s affiliated with.
frequent in babies who are born premature as well as babies of It may sound simple, but disability awareness starts with
low birth weight, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH). acceptance. Kok Ming feels the best way for others to be more
But it’s clear that Kok Ming hasn’t let his condition stop him appreciative of those with disability is simply by creating an
from pursuing the things he loves. Besides successfully climbing inclusive and safe space for them.
Mount Kinabalu, the 42-year-old, Group Corporate Sustainability
& Events Assistant Manager is also an award-winning athlete,
LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
winning medals at the 19th Para Sukma Games in 2018. He is
actively involved in various charity and volunteering efforts and sits
on the committee of Kelab Sosial Sunway. 1. Para Badminton Malaysia 4. SUNWAY Badminton
When he was younger, inadequate medical technology meant SIRKIT 2, 2019 Competition 2018
treatment was not readily available to aid Kok Ming’s disorder. – Bronze in Men’s Single – Men’s Doubles
So, to cope with his condition, he had to use his right side more and Men’s Doubles 2nd Runner-up
frequently than his left, to build muscle strength. “I dedicated
2. Para Badminton Malaysia 5. SUKMA Paralympic 2018
more time and effort into each move to perfect my overall
SIRKIT 1, 2019 – Bronze in Men’s Single &
movement,” he said.
– Silver in Men’s Doubles Mixed Doubles
If you bumped into the father of two, you wouldn’t have
guessed he has cerebral palsy, partly due to how seamlessly 3. MBPJ Para Carnival 2019 6. SUNWAY Badminton
he moves about. But he admits that his speech disorder is still – Silver in Men’s Single Competition 2017
something he needs to improve on. There is currently no cure for and Men’s Doubles for – Champion in Men’s
cerebral palsy, which is categorised as a lifelong disorder by MOH. Badminton, Gold in Doubles
Kok Ming wouldn’t be where he is today, a successful Football
badminton athlete, if he had not endured the long, grueling hours
of training. At the age of 13, he started dedicating five out of seven
days to hone his badminton techniques. “I had to put in extra effort
as compared to those non-disabled.” Today, he continues to train “We’d like to be treated normally. We
regularly — two days a week at Pusat Kecemerlangan Sukan have our own strengths and abilities,
Paralimpik Malaysia. too. My left side may be weak but my
Humility flows in his DNA. Being a modest person, he is quick memory recall is good,” says Kok Ming.
to shrug off compliments on how inspiring his tale is. Instead,
“It’s all part of God’s gift — to lose
insists that the support of his family and friends have been key to
something and to gain something else.”
his success and perseverance. “They had sacrificed a lot for me,” 11
he said. “Life is beautiful, so I believe it’s important to focus on
yourself and don’t always compare yourself with other people.DOING GOOD BY GIVING BACK
Berita Sunway spoke to three beneficiaries from
our year-end corporate responsibility campaign
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Some see Christmas as a time for exchanging via a truck roving around Klang Valley.
presents, others see it as a season of goodwill and giving. Supported by Sunway Pals, Fujifilm, Parkson,
At Sunway, we have been giving back in the and AEON, the programme benefited 1,500
form of food, scholarships, job opportunities underprivileged children between the ages of four
and more, all of which are in line with our and 20 from various welfare homes in the
#SunwayforGood pledge to make the world a Klang Valley.
better place. The objective of this campaign is to empower
Last year, Sunway Group embarked on the Malaysians to do well by doing good and to reignite
'Celebrate Giving with Sunway' campaign that the spirit of giving by contributing back to society.
involved collecting gifts from the public
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
Berita Sunway spoke to three representatives
from three different welfare homes to see
what they had to say about the campaign.
JACKON PAU, Rumah Charis Coodinator S.K. MANIMARAN, Pusat Jagaan NURUL FATHIYAH AHMAD RIDWAN
says their children mostly came from drug- Siddharthan Founder and President works has been a caretaker at Rumah Amal
inflicted homes or are children of former full time at the welfare home. His day to day Kasih Bestari for six years. The children
bandits and single parents. Rumah Charis revolves around almost everything: from at her welfare home comprises those
consists of 40 children, aged two to 18, cared managing paperwork to ferrying the children who either grew up orphaned or were
for by two housemothers. The children are to school. abandoned.
taught to be independent — doing almost Before becoming president of the welfare Some of them, she says, come from
everything by themselves, except for cooking. home, Manimaran worked in marketing and poor families who do not earn enough to
On Sunway’s initative, Pau says, was a charity worker for 12 years. His former care for their own children. A total of 75
“Sometimes the children wish for gifts, but bosses handed the centre to him after a children currently reside at Rumah Amal
we can't afford them. I am glad Sunway is dispute. He said, “Let me run the place, the Kasih Bestari.
doing this because their wishes can now be children are close to me. If I send them back, “My hope is to see them loved and
fulfilled.” I know I will regret it when I see them at the cared for. As a Muslim, I feel compelled
Managing a home is not cheap. Pau says wrong place and wrong time in the future.” to aid them” she says. “They don’t know
they spend up to RM30,000 monthly. “But it Manimaran is glad that Sunway's anything and are so innocent. As adults,
is worth it. I hope they will have a brighter initiative is wonderful as it brings joy to we should care for them so they can grow
12 future,” he says. the children. to be become independent."FROM FARM TO FORK
Fostering growth through urban farming
FEATURES
Every day for around nine weeks Vijaya Rani pays SMK like they are interested in urban farming. We will look into
Bandar Sunway a visit from as early as 7:30 a.m. — each new transforming it into a social enterprise for the second and
day another opportunity to impart wisdom to several form 4 third year,” said Bernard Paul, Group Corporate Sustainability
students. & Events General Manager. “They will be taught how to use
Rani, Group Corporate Sustainability & Events Manager is their income to reinvest into the agricultural process; we also
one of the four volunteers of the Sunway Seeding Inspiration hope to instill business instincts into them,”
and Leadership via Knowledge (SILK) corporate responsibility Eleanor Choong of Sunway iLabs, another volunteer of the
initiative. programme, was very eager to take part once she found out it
“When I was younger, I had mentors from other heavily involved gardening and farming.
organisations that gave career talks. I realised it made a lot “The theme is really close to my heart,” she says. “We
of difference for me. So I was hoping I could emulate that and sow the seeds and at the end of the programme get together
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
make a difference, too,” she said. to cook up a storm to compete and cook the best dish. It’s a
The programme, particularly focused on form 4 students very meaningful programme that really gives the volunteering
of SMK Bandar Sunway, is aimed at empowering local activity a purpose and meaning.”
communities. It also encourages corporate volunteerism Through the programme, Sunway also hopes to inspire
among Sunway staff. students to do better in life through mentorship. “The SILK
The objective of the programme is to allow beneficiaries programme drew inspiration from Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah's
to consider agriculture, through urban farming, as a non- passion and commitment in education and sustainability. We
conventional career pathway beyond school gates. trust that educating our children on urban farming will open
The initiative will be conducted in phases over a period of various opportunities for them in the future,” said Paul.
three years, starting in 2019. The initiative is in line with the Besides Sunway Group, other programme partners
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 of ensuring include Sunway Construction, which provided bricks for
inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting bedding, waste construction materials, as well as gardening
lifelong learning opportunities for all. equipment, and Sunway Lagoon, who sponsored tickets to
“The first year is a pilot project — we wanted to test the their theme park.
fertility of the soil and interest of the students. And it seems
Do you want to be a part of this community development project?
Find out more about Sunway SILK by emailing Rani at vijayarv@sunway.com.my 13FEATURES
Sunway Velocity is the only integrated development in Cheras that has the six key components
of retail, healthcare, residential, hospitality, education and commercial
Characterised by long commutes and over 200 housing While housing options were abundant, there were no
estates, Cheras is one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest, largest and integrated developments that offered the convenience,
most populous residential areas. walkability, and security for senior citizens, or nearby private
Home to more than 800,000 people, Cheras’ close healthcare options.
proximity to the city centre and its strong projected
population growth of 24.8% were among Sunway Property’s
key considerations when planning for the Sunway Velocity TRANSFORMING THE CHERAS LANDSCAPE
integrated township in 2006.
“Urbanisation had brought along its own host of Based on the success of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur,
challenges to Cheras. The previously quiet, safe life in where 800 acres of barren land of disused and abandoned
the suburbs had been replaced by traffic-clogged roads, mining pools was transformed into the country’s first smart,
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
increasing crime, and lifestyles that were less satisfying sustainable integrated township, Sunway Property began
due to long commutes. The small-town feel with friendly modelling a masterplan for Sunway Velocity to bring about a
neighbours had been replaced by endless subdivisions of rejuvenated Cheras.
housing estates,” according to a statement from Sunway Similar to Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, developing
Property. Sunway Velocity involved transforming a brownfield land —
Representatives from Sunway Property pointed out a 23-acre triangular plot of land nestled between Jalan Peel,
that Cheras home owners from the 1960s and 1970s have Jalan Cheras and Jalan Shelly that was an underutilised site
built their families and households over the decades, with for industrial lots, car workshops and squatter homes.
the older generation living alongside their children and With an estimated gross development value of RM4.5
grandchildren in the neighbourhood. bil, Sunway Velocity is the only integrated development in
Cheras that has the six key components of retail, healthcare,
residential, hospitality, education and commercial.
14
Sunway Velocity, CherasFEATURES
Since 2016, Sunway Velocity has created
4,000 new jobs, contributed to a
175% increase in property prices
and spurred tourism with
18 mil visits,
according to Sunway Property.
Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, Cheras
PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY
“Integrated developments require more planning, Located adjacent to Sunway Velocity is Sunway Velocity
longer gestation periods, more complicated financing TWO, a mixed development with RM2 bil GDV consisting of four
BERITA SUNWAY | JAN— MAR 2020
and launch planning. Hence, having data and insights residential towers, office blocks and retail units. As of December
2019, two residential towers have recorded a 98% take-up rate,
from almost half a decade of integrated township
while the third residential block is set to be launched by first
planning such as Sunway City Kuala Lumpur and
quarter of 2020.
Sunway City Ipoh, has provided a strong platform in Sunway Velocity TWO is a GreenRE-certified development,
the master planning of Sunway Velocity. Integrated with rainwater harvesting, solar panels, electrical vehicle
developments are simply more efficient, and we are charging areas and energy-efficient lighting incorporated into the
able to deliver more value to everyone,” according to buildings. The serviced apartments have been awarded the Gold
a statement from Sunway Property. Provisional GreenRE certification for the residential category
while the office tower is currently submitting for the Platinum
Provisional GreenRE certification. GreenRE is one of the leading
In December 2016, Sunway Velocity Mall was launched, it green building rating tools in Malaysia, with certification
is the first mall with 1 mil sq ft of net lettable area in Cheras. recognised by the government.
With over 400 retail outlets and 150 F&B stores, Sunway Velocity According to Sunway Property, Sunway Velocity is currently
Mall was positioned as a lifestyle destination mall. Currently, the conducting a feasibility study into using natural gas for electricity
mall has a 98% take-up rate and attracts an average of 1.2 mil generation in 2020 — a move that is aimed at reducing carbon
visitors monthly. Winning the FIABCI Malaysia Property Award emissions, lessen air pollution and more efficiently control
2018 under the Retail category bears testament to the mall’s electricity demand.
excellence. Sunway Velocity’s popularity could also be attributed to
September 2017 saw the launch of the 351-room Sunway the connectivity and easy accessibility offered to residents,
Velocity Hotel, targeted to meet the needs of existing office tenants and visitors as it is the only transit-oriented integrated
tenants, and visitors to the Tun Razak Exchange, Bukit Bintang development in Cheras. Sunway Velocity has direct links to three
City Centre and KL city centre. Currently, the hotel attracts MRT and two LRT stations. Sunway Velocity TWO is connected to
tourists, corporate travellers, government officials, and more. Sunway Velocity via a covered elevated linkway, providing secure
Sunway College at Velocity launched in 2019 with a capacity and safe access to the facilities and amenities.
of 3,500 students. Currently, two of the five levels are operational Being transit-oriented also brings significant gains to the
while the remaining three will begin operations in 2021. environment as it lessens the need for personal vehicles and
Sunway Medical Centre Velocity also opened its doors in reduces carbon emissions by encouraging the use of public
2019, providing inpatient and outpatient care, 24-hour emergency transport.
services, specialist clinics, diagnostic imaging facilities and “Superlative convenience, various developments that cater
surgical capabilities. Developed at an estimated cost of RM320 to investors and families, as well as consumer confidence in
mil, the 240-bed tertiary care hospital also has 77 consultation Sunway’s build-own-operate model are among the key reasons
suites, six operating theatres and a catheterisation laboratory. why Sunway Velocity TWO has garnered positive response. As
The launch of the hospital is also set to attract healthcare the largest stakeholder in these developments, Sunway ensures
tourists for Sunway Velocity Hotel. well-managed perpetual growth, a green environment, safety
and security for everyone.” 15You can also read
