JOHOR BAHRU: The Social Hero Foundation (SHF) recently collaborated with Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli Negeri Johor (JAKOA) and Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM) Johor Bahru to help improve the well-being, health and safety of the Orang Asli community in Kampung Orang Asli Suku Seletar Pasir Salam in Ulu Tiram.

Support and assistance also came from Pusat Khidmat Rakyat Parlimen Tebrau, CBH Recycle (M) Sdn Bhd, Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor, Yayasan Kebajikan Suria, Pelitawanis TNB JB, KRT PPR UDA Utama, Khoo Soon Lee Realty Sdn Bhd and Persatuan Penduduk Orang Asli Suku Seletar Kampung Pasir Salam, Ulu Tiram.

SHF Trustee Datuk Seri Teo Shiok Fu, JP and SHF Director of Programmes Farrah Baptist joined the volunteers to help clean areas, the nearby lake and estuary.

During the cleanup exercise, the villagers were guided on the various ways to create a cleaner living environment for the 35 households and 144 villagers in kampong Orang Asli Pasir Salam.

They were taught about the 3R on how to “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle” for a cleaner and healthy living environment by CBH Recycle (M) Sdn Bhd.

Villagers are also able to recycle waste materials in the village. They now began to understand the importance of recycling or converting waste into trash to cash.

This collaboration is with CBH Recycle (M) Sdn Bhd who helped clean up the village area.

The Johor Bahru Civil Defence Force were at hand to provide the Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) module course which has been implemented for four hours including modules and fire demonstrations.

A team from the Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM) were present to teach the villagers on community-based disaster risk management methods such as fire prevention, flood prevention and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques to protect their families, homes and community.

Datuk Seri Teo Shiok Fu said family health and well-being is very important and it starts with a clean environment. “Taking care of the family, neighbours and community in the village is vital.”

Teo was glad to note the focus given to fostering environmental awareness and educating villagers to take care of the local environment by improving hygiene and implementing the elements of “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle”.

The day’s activities included distribution of donated vegetables and pineapples by Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Award Winners (IMSHA) Yayasan Kebajikan Suria and Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor and donation of goodies and children’s books by Pelitawanis TNB Johor Bahru.

Present for the event were Taufik Elvis Zulkifli representing Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah, MBJB Councillor Fauzi Faizal representing Senator Dato’ Abdul Halim Suleiman, Captain (PA) Mazwan Shah Haron of Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM) Johor Bahru and Lailie Lie, Tok Batin of Penduduk kampong Orang Asli Suku Seletar, Ulu Tiram.

In his address Taufik Elvis Zulkifli representing Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah said that the gotong-royong perdana programme held was not only an effort to clean up the environment, but also to strengthen the relationship between all parties involved and foster the spirit of consensus.

“The CBRM programme implemented is a very important initiative to empower communities with knowledge and skills in managing disaster risk,” he said.

He stressed that we all need to realize that early preparation and efficient action can reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters and be resilient to any challenge.

A symbolic hibiscus tree planting session was held as a gesture of appreciation and remembrance by the organizers of the Gotong Royong Perdana and CBDRM programme, in conjunction with Malaysia’s 67th Independence Month.

In his address, the Tok Batin said he is satisfied with the efforts and concerns given by all parties who have made the gotong-royong and CBDRM programmes successful in the village as well as strengthening the friendship between the residents.

He said with the availability of training and information sharing from experienced parties, villagers are more confident and ready to act in the event of any disaster.

Farrah Baptist, the programme director briefly explained the theme of the programme in line with the objective of “no single plastic use” such as name label cards and certificates from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) materials, which are recycled materials and there are Basil tree seeds in it, as well as the use of plastic from biodegradable materials that are used as certificates to the guests.

According to Farrah the FSC recognizes products produced from forests that are managed sustainably and responsibly.

“FSC certification ensures that forest management meets stringent standards covering environmental, social and economic aspects,” she added.

This Environment and Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) project is the latest project by the Social Hero Foundation, following its SHF Feed the Needy project at Kampung Pendas Laut in Gelang Patah.