CSR initiatives bearing fruit for CMS, communities

KUCHING: Since Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMS) launched its ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ initiative under their ‘Doing Good’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) banner in March this year, the company has been continuously searching for communities where they can make a longterm difference in uplifting lives, enhancing lifestyles and creating growth opportunities for the communities they work with.

Recently, a team of 120 CMS Roads Sdn Bhd employees descended on Kampung Murud Plaman, completely renovating a dilapidated community hall which will soon be equipped with a children’s library, inclusive of lights and fans. But the company did not stop there. Their next project will see them undertake a school rehabilitation project at SK Engkabang in Saratok.

CMS head of Corporate Reputation & Communications Jason Lee said: “PPESW BPSB JV Sdn Bhd is majority owned by CMSB and under our ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ initiative, we fully support the massive investment by PPESW BPSB JV to completely transform SK Engkabang by enhancing the school’s facilities and providing significantly more classrooms for children to receive the education they deserve.”

He pointed out that over the course of the next one year, PPESW BPSB JV will be constructing seven new classrooms with attached lavatory facilities to accommodate an additional 245 pupils.

“In addition, there will be a hostel block for both male and female pupils which can accommodate 20 students respectively while a single- storey teacher’s quarters will also be built.

“Though the total cost is RM2.8 million and will take one year to complete, it is a worthwhile endeavour if we are to prove what we say when we are looking to ‘Build Sustainable Communities’,” he said, adding that education is the largest single pivot to ‘Building Sustainable Communities’.

The continued focus on ‘Doing Good’ and ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ is beginning to have a positive impact on the company, with people sitting up and paying attention to CMSB’s efforts, bagging Gold at the 11th Global CSR Summit and Awards earlier this month, followed by a top 10 placing in the JobStreet Survey of the most preferred employers in Sarawak.

The Group’s reputation is fast growing and transforming CMS into the most admired company in Sarawak.