Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng executive director Datin Joanne Wong (back row, 6th left) with representatives from Persatuan Penduduk Bandar Puteri 8, Persatuan Penduduk Bandar Puteri 12 and Persatuan Penduduk Tempua, and children from Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pusat Jagaan Lotus Malaysia, Rumah Shalom and Suriana Welfare Society at the IOI-Active Citizens event at IOI Mall Puchong.

PUCHONG: Many home buyers believe that once they have bought their respective houses or condominium and apartment units, that is the end of the story.

Unlike the fairy tale “happily ever after”, there is an environmental and social aspect to the property sector that many have taken for granted.

Any savvy property owner or investor would attest to the fact that a property value is linked closely to how well that property is managed, its surroundings are kept and the people in the area.

That is one of the reasons why events like the recent ‘IOI Connects to Earth campaign’ held by the IOI-Active Citizens by IOI Properties Group Bhd is vital.

While it is part of the Group’s vision to generate conversation and inspire action on waste minimisation, climate change and biodiversity conservation, it also brings the community together forging better relationships among them.

Involved were the residents’ associations, business communities, charity homes and youths from University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) to raise awareness among the Puchong community on waste minimisation through upcycling, recycling and reusing.

IOI-Active Citizens is also in collaboration with the British Council, aimed at raising awareness and creating environmental and social impact among the community.

It is a global social leadership programme that promotes social responsibility and aims to bring together people from different backgrounds and views to learn from each other to address global issues that impact local communities.

Such activities foster better ties among the people of the surrounding communities, which has an indirect impact on property values. This is why many new developments within mature areas tend to fetch higher prices.

It is easy to overlook simple events like the IOI-Active Citizens event which involves many different demographic segments. For example, 30 children from charity homes and the public participated in a series of awareness activities such as the SDG Wheel and #LovetheFoodNottheWasteChallenge by IOI Sustain Facebook page amongst others.

McDonalds IOI Mall Puchong feted the children with Happy Meals and Four Points by Sheraton Puchong offered dining vouchers for lucky participants of the event.

There was a showcase of upcycled items such as the electricity generator bicycle and tyre seats that were created by young innovative UTAR students, and arts and crafts activity booths.

Children from the charity homes participating in a workshop to learn how to upcycle egg cartons into eggshell planter. The workshop was conducted by seven-year-old Helena Abdullah (right, holding paintbrush).

This was meaningful as IOI Properties Group has always supported and empowered youths towards sustainability ownership. 

The community in Puchong had also participated in the IOI-Active Citizens Bargain Basement Competition organised in support of Bargain Basement, a social enterprise by Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, by donating and purchasing pre-loved items with net sale proceeds going to charity.

Persatuan Penduduk Bandar Puteri 8, Persatuan Penduduk Bandar Puteri 12, Persatuan Penduduk Tempua and KPMC Puchong Specialist Centre collectively raised RM2,150, which was matched in equal amount by Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng. 

The total amount of RM4,300 raised was presented to charity homes selected by the respective residents’ associations, namely Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pusat Jagaan Lotus Malaysia, Rumah Shalom and Suriana Welfare Society.

Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng’s Wong praised the efforts by the Residents’ Associations of Bandar Puteri Puchong for rallying the community to come together and to do their bit for the society and environment.

“By donating unwanted items that are still in good condition, it benefits the environment as the goods can be used by someone else instead of going to a landfill. 

“Goods that can be re-used is an economical way for people in all socio-economic levels to acquire items they need, assist the communities and minimise waste,” she said. And in areas where the socioeconomic levels are raised, so too do property values increase.