Videos

[VIDEO] Projek57, Industries Unite on quest to foster togetherness

With days of rife competition among social enterprises to maximise profits past, various groups collaborate to help rakyat eager for ‘merdeka’ from Covid-19

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 29 Aug 2021 8:00AM

by Anne Edwards

KUALA LUMPUR – Every now and then, amid grouses about disunity, there will be a group of people trying to make it better.

Since 2015, a social enterprise known as Projek57 has not only tried to unite Malaysians, but also help youth from underprivileged communities, including the Orang Asli.

It is now that the drivers behind this unity vehicle, Syed Sadiq Albar and Collin Swee, have realised the impact of their movement of hope on ordinary Malaysians.

Whether it is engaging with youth through collaborations with schools and universities, cycling around Malaysia to spread the word, or creating a unity ribbon, co-founder Syed Sadiq believes there are many like-minded Malaysians who subscribe to what Projek57 preaches.  

You actually have to spend time with people. It’s about making connections, and it is then that you realise that there is hope.

“Have we succeeded? I think if you base it on the 300,000 ribbons and 30,000 other merchandise items that we’ve sold, there are many like-minded Malaysians out there who subscribe to what we are saying or preaching,” he told The Vibes.

Despite many unity initiatives by the government, the narrative never fully got through. Racial politics and religious tension remain.

Hence, Projek57 was formed to remind people about what unites us. It also strives to bring the “cool” back into patriotism.

Projek57 chief operating officer Debbie Choa in an interview said the initiative has seen many people come together in times of adversity.

“I feel we are united on the ground, and irrespective of race, we at Projek57 really see people helping one another.”

Projek57 sells merchandise to remind Malaysians of who they are and highlight what unites them, not what divides them, says co-founder Syed Saddiq Albar. – File pic, August 29, 2021
Projek57 sells merchandise to remind Malaysians of who they are and highlight what unites them, not what divides them, says co-founder Syed Saddiq Albar. – File pic, August 29, 2021

Syed Sadiq said the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that Malaysians are not only tolerant, but accepting of one another.

“When things are difficult, people actually come together, especially at the start. Malaysians immediately, without being coaxed into it, put the frontliners as heroes, and that’s something wonderful.”

To finance its initiatives, Projek57 sells merchandise to remind Malaysians of who they are.

Elements of the Jalur Gemilang and the country’s father of independence Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj are featured on the merchandise, which includes unity ribbons, T-shirts, badges and mugs.

Its bestseller is the unity ribbon, sold at RM3 each and mostly made by the Orang Asli, less able, and underprivileged youth.

“They earn for every ribbon they make. All profits go towards education programmes and to support their livelihoods,” said Syed Sadiq.

Projek57 has contributed a total of RM400,000 since its inception to help the underprivileged, especially those who have been affected by the pandemic.

It recently distributed food aid in Puncak Alam and Port Klang in collaboration with Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Malaysia, Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim), Projek Bangsa Malaysia and Kiwanis Malaysia.

Altogether, around 400 families have been given food aid during the various movement control order phases.

Choa said the group collaborates with business and grassroots organisations, with the former providing it with resources, and the latter promoting outreach to the intended targets, like the underserved and B40 communities.

“For example, this business organisation gave us money, and the food aid was packed by people from a Catholic church. We then transported the aid to Abim, which, together with us, reached out to those on the ground.”

Projek57 chief operating officer Debbie Choa says the group’s unity initiative has seen Malaysians band together in times of adversity. – File pic, August 29, 2021
Projek57 chief operating officer Debbie Choa says the group’s unity initiative has seen Malaysians band together in times of adversity. – File pic, August 29, 2021

Society-industry partnership

The days when competition was rife among social enterprises to maximise profits are past. Now, it is about collaboration to benefit the people and fund social programmes.

Syed Sadiq said the whole point is for different groups to work together and learn from one another, with Projek57 providing T-shirts and masks, while other groups chip in with cookies and packaging.

“It helps us provide not only one item, but a bundle, so that’s better, right?”

It is on this basis of cooperation and solidarity that another non-political initiative called Industries Unite (IU) was ignited.

Co-founder Datuk Irwin S.W. Cheong said the collaboration between the group’s members, comprising landlords, owners and tenants, is unprecedented because these groups are usually on opposite sides of the fence.

“It is unprecedented where we see both parties – equal opposites – come together and help each other to address issues on the ground. We even have multiple sub-groups like food and beverage associations.”

Non-political trade coalition Industries Unite has assisted ministries and agencies in collecting data and proposing enhanced SOPs throughout the pandemic, says co-founder Datuk Irwin S.W. Cheong. – File pic, August 29, 2021
Non-political trade coalition Industries Unite has assisted ministries and agencies in collecting data and proposing enhanced SOPs throughout the pandemic, says co-founder Datuk Irwin S.W. Cheong. – File pic, August 29, 2021

IU is a non-political trade coalition comprising 117 associations and chambers of commerce representing 3.3 million businesses in Malaysia.

It has been able to assist most ministries and agencies in collecting data on the ground and proposing enhanced standard operating procedures, working with various ministers to achieve a common goal.

Cheong said with wholesale and retail business performance dwindling by 10.3% year-on-year since June, the authorities should practise empathy when penalising businesses.

“There are so many people struggling right now to make ends meet, so we urge the new government and enforcement officers to be kind and practise IU members’ way: ‘satu hati, satu suara.’”

The coalition’s spirit of unity is also reflected in its charity programmes, such as Projek Satu Hati, which fed some 28,000 needy individuals over the last month.

Moving to encourage and unite

This Merdeka, IU has called for continued unity by launching the Premis Selamat (Safe Premises) campaign, bearing the slogan “Kita sudah lengkap 2 dos” (We have completed two doses), which aims to instil confidence in patrons that businesses are safe to visit as their workers are fully vaccinated.

“If you look at our logo, it says, ‘Industries Unite’ and not ‘United’,” said Cheong. 

‘United’ means it’s already done, but ‘unite’ means it is constantly being done, so as a coalition, we are constantly uniting people and businesses.”

In conjunction with the Merdeka celebrations, IU has also launched the #hellowecan campaign on its Facebook page, inviting members of the public to post positive pictures of themselves.

Each picture draws a donation of RM10, in addition to Grab vouchers for winners.

Malaysians’ Merdeka wishes

Among the rakyat, most of those met said they hope to be free of the Covid-19 crisis.

Nora Ibrahim, met at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur vaccination site, said people should take cognisance of the current situation and get themselves vaccinated quickly.

“Despite all that is happening now, especially with the country’s political upheaval, let’s put all that aside and fly the Malaysian flag.”

Melissa Leong, who was also at the centre, said her Merdeka wish is for the country to be free of the coronavirus so that there is a return to normalcy.

“The most important thing is for us to be able to travel, because I haven’t seen my mother for the past year. She lives in Ipoh, so (I hope) we can travel interstate. I miss her very much.”

Vaccine recipient Govarthnan Ravindran said it is important for Malaysia to be “merdeka” from Covid-19, so that people stop being so stressed.

“If things get better, we can go out and do things like before, because as it is right now, people are emotionally distressed.” – The Vibes, August 29, 2021

Nora Ibrahim says people should get vaccinated quickly so that the Covid-19 pandemic is swiftly contained. – Screen grab, August 29, 2021
Nora Ibrahim says people should get vaccinated quickly so that the Covid-19 pandemic is swiftly contained. – Screen grab, August 29, 2021

Related News

Opinion / 6d

Singapore's race to self-sufficiency amid Malaysian water tensions – TamilSalvi Mari

Sports & Fitness / 6d

Asian Cup qualifiers: Malaysia suffer first defeat in Group D after losing 0-2 to Oman

Malaysia / 1w

Veil of haze surrounds Miri as wildfires spread near Brunei border

Business / 1w

Malaysia secures RM46 billion potential investments from trade and investment mission to Germany, France

Malaysia / 1w

Port Dickson in top 10 happiness list shows multiracial living success - Negeri MB

Sports & Fitness / 1w

All England remains elusive for Aaron-Wooi Yik after falling to reigning champions in final

Spotlight

Events

UK alumni lauded for stellar achievements as British Council observes 75 years in Malaysia

Malaysia

Don’t let politicians, activists stir up hatred against KK Mart, PBK tells cops

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

7.7 mil people registered in Padu, 2.5 mil cyberattacks, but not one success: Rafizi

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Farewell Aunty Bersih, you will be missed

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Couple make two trips to workshop to find trapped kitten in car

Malaysia

KK Mart founder, director charged with wounding religious feelings of others over 'Allah' socks

By The Vibes Team