JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Quarries Association (JQA) which was established in 1994 acts as one body to serve operators in the quarry industry in Johor on quarry issues relating between the operators and local authorities.

Over the years the quarry industries progressed in standard and quality. The association have contributed to society regularly such as organizing charity dinners, charity golf and blood donation drives.

A number of social welfare bodies such as Careheart Association, Society of the Blind, Lion’s Club of Tanjung Petrie, Boon Hwa Primary School and many others have benefitted through their charity projects.

Recently the JQA organized its 30th annual dinner in aid for the dialysis centre in Johor Jaya. Some 700 guests attended the function.

During the dinner, the JQA donated RM50,000 to Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah and RM20,000 to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Johor Bahru Branch from the proceeds of the dinner event.

The JQA dialysis centre in its 18th year of operation treats those with kidney failure at affordable and subsidized rates. Funds donated by well-wishers to the foundation are used to upgrade and replace the dialysis machines when necessary including upgrading of its premise in order to continue the provision of this need to the community.

Present for the dinner were Tunku Abdul Jalil, the association’s advisor, Mejar Cina Datuk David Wong Khong Soon, chairman of Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah, Tan Sri Selvarajoo Sinnaiyah, JQA advisor, Dato’ Sri Toh Keng Tiong, JQA chairman and Malaysian Quarry Association (MQA) chairman, Chong Ah Ng of the MRCS Johor Bahru branch, Jimmy Puah, Member of Parliament for Tebrau, and Noorazhar Ngatimin, Mineral and Geoscience Department director.

Also present were representatives from the government departments, the Johor Police, quarry operators, business associates, invited guests and members of the press.

In his address Tan Sri Selvarajoo Sinnaiyah said Johor is in a very interesting time with various development projects like Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, special financial zone in the Forest City areas, talks on continuation of the proposed High Speed Rail and several vibrant projects with Singapore.

He said these developments will be beneficial to the quarry members and the economy at large.

He also mentioned that the dialysis centre has treated more than 125 patients with kidney failures since 2006.

According to Selvarajoo the centre treats some 24 patients a week and their commitments to the dialysis centre remained as one of their key objective of the JQA.

Not mincing his words he said JQA will not be known as a blaster of rocks and stone but a blaster of love and care for the elderly.

Later in his address, Mejar Cina Dato’ David Wong Khong Soon noted that the JQA has been a key player in Johor’s growth.

“The association has played an integral role in shaping not just the construction industry, but also various industries throughout Johor and Malaysia,” he remarked.

He stressed that their contributions have laid the foundation for countless infrastructure projects, enabling growth and development across the region.

With Johor developing rapidly, he said our beloved Sultan of Johor currently as the King of Malaysia, Johor is poised to expand further, and the role of the quarries and the association will be more crucial than ever in this progress.

He went on to say that their work in the quarries, their contributions to social welfare and charitable causes deserve special recognition.

“The effort you have put into supporting community initiatives such as the JQA Dialysis Foundation shown your deep commitment to helping those in need,” he stated.

Dato’ David Wong also thanked JQA for their generous donation to Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah and the MRCS Johor Bahru branch.

“Your kindness will touch many lives, and your contributions make a significant difference in efforts to support education, healthcare and welfare of Bangsa Johor,” he stressed.

He said that they should never look for a reason to help those who yearn for support.

“Extending a helping hand not only vanishes tears off their faces but also acts as a care for oneself,” he added.

In his message in the Yearbook of MQA 2023/24, Dato’ Sri Toh Keng Tiong said the MQA in its various efforts will provide support to its members and work in line with governmental agencies on the many areas to use technology and science to create products and practices that are environmentally friendly in order to enhance the image of the industry to both local and international communities.

“Each one of you has played an instrumental role in accomplishing MQA’s mission with all your insights and unique expertise,” he said.

He mentioned that MQA had uphold its key role and bore good testimonies in their many activities with regards to the five directions, namely responsibilities, liaison with governmental agencies, continual promotion to up-skilling its members, collaborative role to enhance local and international cooperations and shedding light to the industry through the many forms of publicity.

“We need to work closely with governmental authorities and industry partners to implement standardized digital solutions to improve the co-ordination, productivity and efficient of work processes,” he asserted.

He urged members to redouble their efforts to equip themselves with the latest solutions as smart devices and dashboard management systems is now commonly used to better manage quality and quantity controls, production systems.

“The road ahead for MQA is long but I am confident that MQA will continue to have all the support from its members and like-minded business partners and the association will function at its optimal to serve the members and the community,” he added.

The JQA besides upholding its core support and responsibilities to its JQA Dialysis Foundation had also been actively collaborating with many charitable bodies over the years to raise funds through donation drives especially with MRCS Johor Bahru branch in their blood and organ donation campaigns.