KUALA LUMPUR – UEM Sunrise Berhad (UEM Sunrise or the Company), one of Malaysia’s leading property developers, has concluded the last quarter of 2020 with a series of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives undertaken with the communities surrounding its signature developments.

In cognizant of the hardship and challenges faced by Malaysians and local businesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, UEM Sunrise continued with its tradition to provide back to communities in need. The Company further expanded its CSR flagship programme, a community library initiative called Bukuhub, with a new centre — in Kampung Orang Asli Simpang Arang, Gelang Patah, Johor on 2nd October.

In Kampung Simpang Arang, volunteers from UEM Sunrise or formally known as ‘TitanSquad’ not only categorised, stamped and deployed approximately 1,000 books at the centre, but also painted and adorned the community hall with bright and cheerful colours which will certainly uplift the avid readers and visitors.

Marking the Company’s commitment to enhance the quality of living of the community neighbouring Iskandar Puteri, where UEM Sunrise is its leading developer and master planner, the Bukuhub in Kampung Simpang Arang, Gelang Patah is the fifth to be set up in Johor since its inception 2019.

“The objective of the initiative is to build mini libraries or reading corners to encourage the habit of reading and ensuring the books are widely accessible to the local community. Additionally, this is also to inspire integrity amongst the public as there are no check-in and check-out counters.

“The initiative is part of UEM Sunrise’s efforts in prioritising education by creating a safe space for the public to read and donate books freely. Through our BukuDrive which we started in 2019, we have managed to collect more than 20,000 books from the public,” said UEM Sunrise Chief Officer, Performance Delivery and Commercial, Anuar Kasim.

To date, there are 13 Bukuhubs in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Perak, Johor, and Bangi. The public is free to donate and borrow books from any Bukuhub centres.

In conjunction with the Christmas celebration last year, UEM Sunrise staff also donated grocery supplies  to the Sunteck Handicapped Welfare Organization in Taman City, Kepong on December 30.

“We believe that the act of volunteerism coincides with our C.H.I.E.F. values which is an acronym for Caring, Honest, Involved, Enthusiastic, and Fun-loving. Such initiatives are organised to positively impact others especially to the community in need. Therefore, we see it as a privilege and duty to give back to the public,” said Anuar.

Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the numerous lockdowns, a total of 13 CSR events were organised last year which ranged from the opening of more Bukuhub centres to donating supplies to the front liners in the fight against Covid-19 and distributing groceries to families affected by the extended Movement Control Order (MCO).

Moving ahead for the year 2021, UEM Sunrise intends to further expand their Bukuhub flagship programme through partnerships and collaborations as well as distributing computers to their PINTAR Adopted Schools, organising a tree planting project at SIREH Park in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, and many more. These programmes will be in line with their CSR pillars which include ‘Education Enhancement’, ‘Community Development’ and ‘Environmental Conservation’, supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.