Phase 2/2019 – Business Set Up, Business Registration, Environmental Protection & Eco-Bazaar
Phase 1 bootcamp of the Tune Protect Orang Asli (OA) Financial Literacy, Empowerment & Entrepreneurship (FLEE) Programme launched in 2018 was a resounding success. We followed through with Phase 2 that ran from 11th to 13th September 2019. The bootcampers comprised of youth from the Jahut tribe in Pahang, Semai tribe in Perak and Semelai tribe in Negeri Sembilan. It all began with a Kuala Lumpur MRT adventure which took them to Wisma Tune where they were welcomed with a nice breakfast they shared with Tune Protect staff, Clive Allen who is the President of Majlis Belia Orang Asli Malaysia, and their Principal Trainer Nina Othman. They were also taken for the first corporate office walkabout and found out how friendly and warm Tune Protectors are!
The bootcampers were then invited into the Tune Protect Boardroom for their workshop on how to set up a business and register it with the Companies Commission Malaysia. The trainers listened to their feedback and challenges faced in exchange for suggestions on how to overcome them. The professional award-wining underwater diver and co-founder of Ara Dinawan Research Education Conservation Centre (ADRECC) Monica Chin was also present to teach them about environmental protection and sustainable practises. The participants were also taught about the creating their own business logos and business email addresses to enable them to handle these matters independently in the future.
The 12th of September was a very significant day for the budding OA entrepreneurs. They independently registered their businesses with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia). They entered the SSM office as OA youth but left the building as legally recognized and respected new entrepreneurs.
To celebrate the SSM registrations, Tune Protect organized an Eco-Bazaar at Wisma Tune. The OA Beauty Enterprise ladies who run a part-time hair dressing salon in their village, made alternative arrangements to sell RM220 worth of handmade beaded bracelets and jungle “akar kayu” that helps to control diabetes and other ailments. The OA Bamboo Straw Enterprise ladies who produce and distribute bamboo straws, had a very good day tallying RM480 worth of bamboo straws sold. Orang Asli Zara Enterprise that distributes cupcakes and other deserts assisted the other OA pals. The booths were set up together alongside other ‘green’ vendors and social enterprises such as Suri Lifestyle, Athena Empowers, The Truly Loving Company, Borneo Cocoa and ADRECC.
The Bootcamp closed on a high note when Group CEO Khoo Ai Lin presented the boot campers with their respective certificates from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The success of this CSR campaign was further highlighted in a 45-minute BERNAMA Radio interview on 17th December with Tune Protect and Majlis Belia Orang Asli about the FLEE programme. Tune Protect was represented by Nur Baizura from the Sustainability Team and Majlis Belia Orang Asli was represented by its President Clive Allen Williams Hunt, who is from the Semai tribe in Perak.
The success of FLEE was also reported in the Harian Metro, Oriental Daily and Femagonline.
Tune Protect OA FLEE Entrepreneurs are seen here celebrating with the Tune Protect Sustainability Committee because they are ready to EARN an income with dignity through entrepreneurship, SPEND on their living essentials, SAVE wisely for expansion plans and future AND PROTECT themselves against the vicissitudes of life.
Phase 3 of the FLEE programme continues in 2020, leading them towards successful and independent entrepreneurship that would help them to “flee” aimlessness, joblessness, extreme poverty and social ills.
