Community Engagement and Energy Conservation Never Smelt So Yummy!

On 14 February 2019, Tune Protect collaborated with the Truly Loving Company (TLC) to sponsor the Bake with Dignity (BWD), a bakery that employs bakers with learning disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Employment at the bakery provides their bakers with a great sense of dignity and self-worth because they are given the opportunity to learn new skills and earn an income applying the skills learnt. BWD has a mouth-watering range of cakes, brownies, fudge, crumbles, cookies, pies, just to name a few.

Tune Protect sponsored the purchase and installation of 2 energy efficient air-conditioners to help reduced BWD’s utility bills and its carbon footprint. The lowered utility bills would contribute to lower operational costs, in addition to providing a cooler reception area and other areas as well. The funds sponsored were mainly from the proceeds of the Pre-Loved Charity Bazaar that Tune Protect organized.

Tune Protect Chief – People & Culture Yap Hsu Yi (front row, 2^nd from left) and TLC Chief Executive Officer Julia Chong (front row, middle) at the signing of the sponsorship Memorandum of Understanding witnessed by the bakers of Bake with Dignity and their mentor Helen Chan (2^nd row, 2^nd from left)

The BWD Chief Baker showing how to make patterns on the chicken pie pastry with a fork.

After pie making and cupcake frosting sessions, the get-together continued with a “Vegetarian Yee Sang Toss” to wish all in the bakery good health, prosperity, longevity and happiness. The sponsorship event ended on a high note when all the BWD bakers were presented with the Tune Protect Annual EasyCare Personal Accident Coverage specially sponsored by Tune Protect. Each baker was presented with a Certificate to commemorate the first personal accident coverage they received in their lives.

A BWD baker and his delighted mother with his specially sponsored Tune Protect EasyCare Personal Accident Insurance Certificate

Tune Protect is thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the BWD bakers with this climate action initiative in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals No. 3 & 11 promoting Well Being and Climate Action. Tune Protect continues to extend our support for BWD by catering for internal events and festive gifts.

Promoting Regular Blood Donation to Reduce Heart Disease Risk

In conjunction with Tune Protect’s Heart Health Month 2018, we organized another Blood Donation Drive because donating blood is closely linked to heart health. According to a study in the Journal of Blood Medicine, donating blood regularly can reduce the risk of heart disease by significantly lowering cholesterol levels and harmful iron stores which protects against cardiovascular disease and heart attack risk!

So once again, blood donor Superheroes thronged the Wisma Tune Ground Floor Lobby, where the National Blood Bank had set up the blood donation station. It was a first for many and a repeat for a few.

Tune Protector Alicia Lee was all smiles knowing that her donation would save lives and protect her heart too

Superhero Lizam Salaman arrived immediately after Alicia and was thrilled to see the ‘power’ he was unleashing

Donors were presented with the Tune Protect ProSpeed collectible badge that is one of the badges in the collection of five.

Salasiah and Zulizam proudly holding up the Tune Protect Superhero collectible badge that represents their personal sacrifice

The drive welcomed other affiliates and tenants in the building. Neighbours from other companies nearby joined in the effort too, thanks to the posters that were pasted at strategic locations.

A Tune Talk affiliate glad to be a part of this effort that can save up to 3 lives per donation

The little ProSpeed badge reminded donors of how their blood would help to speed up the healing process for the donee

As it was Heart Health Month, Tune Protect had a surprise in store for Donor #36. Our collaborative partner, Quaker Malaysia, sponsored a goodie bag filled with Quaker Oats yummies that was waiting for oblivious donor #36 . Who was he or she?

Neither one of these donors was donor #36, but we showed our gratitude with ProSpeed badge, cream buns, biscuits and boxed drinks

So who was donor #36?

Donor #36 was our Wisma Tune Senior Security Guard Encik Roslee Bin Hashim!

A surprised Encik Roslee receiving his goodie bag filled with Quaker yummies specially sponsored by Quaker Malaysia

To Tune Protect, blood donation is so much more than our Superhero collectible badge or goodie bags…it is about employee volunteerism and about answering the call to save our fellow human beings who are dependent on our donation. This is the very core of our CSR mission – to serve the dependent and underserved. Have we achieved our mission? Yes, we have, thanks to our heroic donors!

Launch of FLEE Phase 1 – Ice-Breaking, Ideation, Brainstorming, City Walkabout & Business Pitching

In 2018 Tune Protect Malaysia launched their Flagship Orang Asli Financial Literacy, Empowerment & Entrepreneurship (FLEE) Programme as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative emerging as one of the first organisations to participate in uplifting the financial literacy of the Orang Asli youth. Understanding the need for the career development of the Orang Asli youth, Tune Protect in a tripartite collaboration with the Founder of Grow the Goose, Nina Othman and Majlis Belia Orang Asli (MBOA) embarked on this programme that we developed carefully together.

FLEE is 3-phase programme that we launched in September 2018. A total of 13 participants from the various Orang Asli tribes and states were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of youth from Perak and Pahang. This pioneer group joined the bootcamp in Kuala Lumpur that ran for 4 days. A series of activities was planned for the participants who greatly enjoyed the sessions. Starting off the day was a brief introduction of the Company followed with fun ice breaking activities.

Pioneer Phase 1 bootcampers from Perak and Pahang at the launch of FLEE in September 2018

Treating them to a Walkabout Escapade midway through the course was an eye-opening experience for the participants, who were delighted with the highlights of Kuala Lumpur. It was the very first time on escalators for all of them. With their minds opened and inspired, they went back to the bootcamp with fresh ideas they wanted to brainstorm with each other and their trainers.

The youth from Pahang pitched the idea of starting a banana plantation or fish farm

The youth from Perak pitched the idea of starting a village sundry shop

The youth from Perak pitched the idea of starting a village sundry shop but after consulting the village elders and community, they ventured into starting up their part-time village beauty saloon. The youth from Pahang embarked on an aquaponic banana plantation very soon after they returned.

The youth from Pahang started their aquaponic banana plantation after very soon after the bootcamp.

Group 2 consisted of youth from the Temuan tribe in Selangor, the Semelai tribe Negeri Sembilan and the Temiar tribe from Kelantan. Understanding that the Orang Asli participants do not have access on financial literacy matters, the training stressed on introducing them to a financial reality check for themselves and empowering them with dreams and aspirations to move forward towards a focus in life, job attainment and satisfaction. A brainstorming session on a Business Pitching session was part of the curriculum for the participations towards the end of the Bootcamp.

The aspiring entrepreneur from Selangor pitching his idea of publishing a book

The Temiar youth from Kelantan pitching ideas about developing their village into a tourist destination

The Semelai ladies from Negeri Sembilan pitching ideas about starting a business selling bamboo straws or fried bananas (pisang goreng)

The OA youth and the trainers during the closing of the bootcamp

When Phase 1 for 2018 came to an end it was time for the participants to return to their respective villages to discuss their ideas with their elders and communities. Those who obtained the approval to proceed could look forward to Phase 2 in 2019.

Weekly Rugby Training to Build Character, Discipline, Stamina, Teamwork and Persistence

Tune Protect and COBRATS of Cobra Club Malaysia, sponsored rugby training for children under the care of Yayasan Chow Kit’s Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak (YCK) and children of Tune Protect staff up to 12 years of age. The programme was fondly named PROBRATS because it was a collaborative effort between Tune PROtect + COBRATS = PROBRATS. In addition to being the children’s supervised weekend outing, this specially organized sporting activity contributed greatly towards their general good health and well-being in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) No. 3 which promotes Good Health & Well-Being.

Warming up for the very first time the COBRATS way

Tune Protect sponsored football boots to complete the training experience

The Human Chain to box-in opponents

The children from YCK are “at risk” children because they live in Chow Kit area that has a notorious reputation for illicit activities. These children really look forward to the trainings on Sundays from 4pm to 6pm at the Astaka Field right next to COBRA’s clubhouse. The COBRA van provided safe return transportation for YCK children and their YCK supervisor. Garbed in Tune Protect sponsored COBRATS full jerseys sets and football boots, the children enjoyed every minute of the training that taught them to be patient, nimble, tactical, and most importantly, to have fun! This is Tune Protect’s way of building a sustainable community in line with the UNSDG No. 11 because the experience is committed to memory to last a lifetime.

Ball passing to enhance concentration and coordination

Safety is First because training is taken indoors when thunder or lighting is detected as far as 6km away

Tag training to stimulate agility, maneuverability and speed

This collaboration was a first for Tune Protect and COBRA. The PROBRATS were assigned a caring facilitator and experienced coaches to make a lasting impression. At the end of the year, the PROBRATS accepted the special invitation to attend the COBRA 10s Mini Tournament in Sungai Buloh to witness the tournament.

Ice-cream treats to cool down after training

All go home new skills and memories to last a lifetime

The Tune Protect & YCK PROBRATS with Member of the YCK Board of Governors His Royal Highness Tunku Dato’ Seri Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz During a training at Astaka Field Petaling Jaya

Stepping In to Save Lives During Ramadhan

Tune Protect organized a Blood Donation Drive during Ramadhan at the special request of the National Blood Bank (Pusat Darah Negara). Blood supply runs critically low during Ramadhan because our Muslim brothers and sisters are unable to donate blood. What a sense of purpose they felt when donating to save lives and to know that one blood donation can potentially save 3 lives at the time it is most needed.

Tune Protectors answering the urgent call for donations

Taking time-off to save lives

A brave Tune Protect Sustainability Team member’s first donation

A Tune Protector feeling really good about being able to make a difference

Tune Protect Affiliates, Wisma Tune Tenants and Neighbours Donated Too
The donation was hosted at the Wisma Tune Ground Floor lobby. Affiliates in Wisma Tune from Tune Talk, Big Loyalty and several others, including other tenants in the building and donors in offices nearby made the numbers required and it was a gathering of community goodwill and a strong sense of friendship all around.

Undergraduates from HELP University nearby joined in

Some came with friends to double the donation

Colorful posters and banners were posted in nearby buildings to alert the public of this donation drive. To top it all, the donors were excited to receive Tune Protect Superhero Collectible badges to take home as mementos. They were also gifted with an exclusive 2018 Tune Protect diary and a RM15 DeliverEat discount voucher each. The blood donation drive is part of Tune Protect`s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mission to give back to the community.

Bringing Out the Sun for the Children at Yayasan Chow Kit’s Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak

About Yayasan Chow Kit
In 2017, Tune Protect organized its 2nd ‘Sponsor a Kid Back to School’ especially for the ‘at-risk’ children of Yayasan Chow Kit’s (YCK) Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak (PAKK). Aged between 7 to 12 years old, many of them have been through a lot as they live in an area that has earned a notorious reputation as a hotspot for illicit activities. Most of the have seen and heard more than the average child and adult! PAKK provides these children with a haven conducive for learning, character building activities and positive interaction with their peers and carers.

A Ray of Sunshine
Tune Protect stepped in to bring ‘a ray of sunshine’ back into their lives with the sponsorship of 2 complete sets of school uniforms for all 57 children specially purchased from Outpost Uniform.

YCK Trustee His Royal Highness Tunku Major Dato’ Seri Zain Al-‘Abidin Tuanku Muhriz graciously hosted the ceremony and witnessed our Group CEO Razman Hafidz Abu Zarim presenting the mock cheque to Yayasan Chow Kit’s Chief Operating Officer Ananti Rajasingam.

YCK’s Chief Operating Officer Ananti Rajasingam invites a YCK student to deliver his Welcome Speech on behalf of his fellow students.

His Royal Highness Tunku Zain Tuanku Muhriz and Tune Protect CEO Razman Hafidz delivering their speeches.

His Royal Highness Tunku Zain Tuanku Muhriz and Tune Protect CEO Razman Hafidz sharing light moments with the excited and curious children.

Stopped the Rain from Falling
In addition to sponsoring school uniforms and in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 promoting Good Health and Well-Being, Tune Protect literally ‘stopped the rain from falling’ by plugging the major roof leakage which severely affected the center’s classrooms, pantry and staircase with a full sponsorship for urgent repairs. In doing so, the repairs also enabled the center to resume educational activities and lessons, in line with our mission to support quality education.

Tune Protect Head of People & Culture Yap Hsu Yi tickled at the sight of the older students helping the younger ones to button-up correctly.

A happy YCK boy ‘driving’ a bus for the first time!

Sunshine After the Rain
After the cheque presentation ceremony, the children mingled happily with everyone in their new uniforms, just like 'sunshine after the rain'. Tune Protect volunteers also distributed neatly packed balanced meals comprising of delicious noodles, sausages, eggs, french fries, sandwiches and drinks to the grateful children whose smiles for the cameras came naturally. CLICK HERE to watch the video approved by Yayasan Chow Kit for release.

Tune Protect Volunteers warmly giving the children their balanced meals.

YCK children excited to receive their meals.

The Sun Daily reported this initiative in its article entitled ‘RM27,200 cheer for Yayasan Chow Kit children.’

The Star also reported this initiative in its article entitled ‘Insurer raises over RM27,000 for at-risk children and activity centre’.

Lending More Than a Helping Hand When it is Most Needed

The 2017 Major Floods
The recent floods in November 2017 that hit the northwest states of Peninsular Malaysia devastated Penang, Bukit Mertajam, Kepala Batas and several other locations, killing several and displacing thousands from their homes. It was a catastrophe that hit the region unexpectedly with prolonged rainfall.

The major floods in Penang that took several lives, paralyzed the city, cut-off communication and delayed rescue efforts.

Tune Protect Emergency Flood Relief
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 and 11 which promote Good Health & Well-Being, and Personal Safety, Tune Protect urgently facilitated an Emergency Flood Relief Mission costing RM50,000 with the help of Malaysia International Search & Rescue (MISAR). MISAR managed to mobilise trucks fully laden with boxes full of living essentials, hit the road in the wee hours of the morning and made their way straight for schools, homes and badly affected areas.

Boxes and MISAR rescue vehicles filled with essential supplies for the flood victims.

MISAR to the Rescue
By sunrise, MISAR’s rescue vehicles arrived at affected areas and cautiously ploughed through flood waters. Power supply was cut-off in many places by fallen trees and landslides, which also obstructed access and severed communications channels. The mission continued with the distribution of dry food, bottled water, pillows, blankets, buckets, toiletries, diapers and sanitary napkins to residents, some of whom were walking aimlessly in desperate search for help and supplies.

Flood victims flocked MISAR trucks immediately upon arrival.

MISAR distributed Tune Protect sponsored dry food and bottled water to flood victims.

Flood victims of all ages surrounded MISAR rescuers for essential supplies.

A MISAR rescuer is seen here handing some food to a mother and her child.

Tune Protect Emergency Flood Donation Drive & Flood Advisory
Back in Kuala Lumpur, Tune Protect staff raised funds internally for our colleagues affected by the floods after a few of them were relocated to Flood Relief Centers when the water levels reached dangerous levels. The Tune Protect Emergency Flood Advisory was also circulated to help employees cope with their circumstances safely. In addition to distributing living essentials, MISAR was also on standby to conduct ‘Search & Rescue’ missions while on location. Fortunately, the rain stopped, the water began receding slowly and the situation improved with time.