By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: The stone that becomes a road or bridge carries a quiet promise — that someone will reach home, a community will grow and another generation will find its way forward.

For the Johor Quarries Association (JQA), that responsibility extends beyond the foundations of buildings to the lives of people who need care, compassion and a helping hand.

This shared commitment to development and humanity formed the heart of its Quarrying Exhibition and Annual Dinner 2026 held at Grand Bayview Seafood Restaurant Danga Bay, where industry achievements were celebrated alongside the association’s continuing contributions to society.

Bringing together quarry operators, government representatives, business partners and fellow industry associations, the gathering offered an opportunity to reflect on an industry whose work is embedded in everyday life, even when its people remain outside the spotlight.

Guest of honour Mejar Cina Dato’ David Wong Khong Soon, chairman of Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah, paid tribute to the association’s role in shaping Johor’s development for more than three decades.

“The quarry industry may not always be in the spotlight, but its contribution is something we see and benefit from every day,” he said.

From roads and bridges to homes, commercial buildings and major infrastructure, Wong said, materials supplied by the industry formed the foundations upon which progress depended.

Yet his appreciation reached beyond the physical landscape.

He said an association’s strength should also be judged by its ability to grow, adapt and contribute to society, with JQA’s community initiatives reflecting an understanding that business success carried a wider responsibility.

“As Chairman of Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah, I am grateful for the support and generosity shown by the Johor Quarries Association towards our Foundation,” he said.

Every contribution, regardless of size, helped the foundation reach more people in need, he added.

His remarks gave a human dimension to an industry more commonly associated with machinery, rock faces and heavy vehicles: behind its commercial activity lay opportunities to ease hardship and bring reassurance to vulnerable families.

JQA chairman Dato’ Sri Toh Keng Tiong said that spirit of service remained central to the association’s work.

Alongside representing quarry operators, the association continued to support and manage its dialysis centre, contribute to Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah and support blood donation campaigns organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society in Johor Bahru.

The Johor Quarry Association (JQA) extended its spirit of giving with donations of RM50,000 to Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah and RM20,000 to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society’s Johor Bahru Branch, and RM20,000 to the JQA Dialysis Centre supporting their work in serving communities in need.

In his personal capacity, Dato’ Sri Toh Keng Tiong donated RM10,000 each to Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society’s Johor Bahru Branch, bringing his total contribution to RM20,000.

These commitments connected the industry’s prosperity with some of the community’s most personal needs — access to treatment, assistance during difficult times and the availability of blood when lives depended on it.

Established in 1994, JQA had remained united in serving quarry operators throughout Johor, addressing industry concerns and maintaining working relationships with government departments and relevant agencies, Toh said.

He described quarrying as an essential cornerstone of national construction and development, while stressing that environmental, social and governance considerations and sustainability were becoming increasingly important.

Earlier that afternoon, he said, the association had worked with the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) to present certificates recognising operators who had met Quarry Scheme standards.

The recognition acknowledged their commitment to implementing the relevant requirements and encouraging more systematic and standardised industry practices.

Toh said the association had also maintained engagement with the authorities over the past year, including discussions with the Johor Chief Police Officer and the Road Transport Department, as well as dialogue with the Lands and Mines Office.

A visit by a delegation from the China Aggregates Association had further strengthened industry exchanges and cooperation.

However, the evening’s celebration also carried an acknowledgement of the pressures confronting quarry operators.

Toh said geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and the continuing Russia-Ukraine war had affected fuel supplies and supply chains, placing pressure on industries worldwide.

At home, minimum wage requirements, vehicle overloading issues and increasingly stringent regulatory obligations were adding to operating costs, he said.

“Nevertheless, I believe that as long as the industry remains united and continues to work closely with the government and relevant agencies, we can overcome these challenges together and sustain the industry’s progress.”

The gathering included the association’s honorary adviser, Tunku Abdul Jalil Ibni Tunku Osman, alongside representatives of quarrying, construction, aggregates and transport organisations.

The evening’s programme also provided for the presentation of donation cheques, exhibitors’ videos and appreciation mementoes, bringing community giving and industry partnerships into the celebration.

Wong urged the association to continue embracing innovation and sustainability while maintaining high standards and serving the wellbeing of Bangsa Johor.

Toh, meanwhile, thanked the organising committee, exhibitors, suppliers and business partners whose efforts and support had made the gathering possible.

For an industry that works with stone, the evening’s most enduring message concerned people. Its legacy would live in the roads that connected communities, the buildings that sheltered families and the compassion that helped those facing life’s hardest journeys find firmer ground.

Present for the dinner included Tunku Abdul Jalil Tunku Osman, JQA Advisor, Loh Thean Loy, JQA Advisor, Tan Ooi Koong, Director of Grand Bayview Seafood Restaurant, Chong Ah Ng, Executive Advisor MRCS Johor Bahru Branch, Saw Kok Peng, Penang Quarry Association President, Ceasar Ang Cheet Ming, MQA Secretary and Tai Lai Huat, President of Aggregate Association of Singapore.

Also present were Leow Khang Heng, President National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association of Malaysia, Dato’ Steven Ou Kwee Hua, Vice-President of the Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saw Yew Sin, President of Johor Master Builder Association and Dato’ Ee Sum Pe, CEO of Mega Arms Sdn Bhd.