Man with a noble cause

Jeyenderan (right), who is a sponsor of the Star NIE programme, presenting the schoolbags and uniforms to the children as See Kim Hua, 70, (second right) looks on during the presentation at the school in Kapar.

MARITIME Network Sdn Bhd director Datuk Seri Jeyenderan Ramasamy (pic) believes that with great success comes great responsibility and as such, he makes it a point to help the underprivileged.

Jeyenderan, 40, who has been a shipping agent since 2002, presented schoolbags and uniforms to more than 100 pupils at SJK Tamil Methodist Kapar, Klang last Sunday to fulfil his company’s corporate social responsibility.

“I am all for giving back to society as I recall starting life the hard way during my school days in 2003.

“I know parents are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living, so this small contribution will help the children attend school with proper uniforms and school bags.

“Last month, I also presented RM20,000 at a Deepavali gathering in Jinjang, in aid of 300 families comprising flood victims in Maran, Pahang, and RM150,000 to a child undergoing surgery for leukaemia,’’ said Jeyenderan.

Last year, he also collaborated with Star Media Group Berhad to enable Tamil primary schools nationwide to receive a year’s sponsorship of The Star’s education pullout, Step Up.

Jeyenderan sponsored RM120,000, which is the highest amount made by an individual for the education pullout to date.

He started his working life in 1995 as a shipping assistant in Port Klang, but he then dreamed of having his own company.

In 2002, he managed to set up his company in Port Klang with an investment of RM150,000. The money was mainly to purchase bank guarantees, which is one of the requirements to being a shipping agent.

Subsequently, he opened branches in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Penang, Lumut, Kuantan, Malacca, Singapore and Brunei.

“We started with just five ships a month. Today, we handle about 150 ships a month, with a staff of 45 at our head office in Intania Klang commercial centre in Klang.

“I hope that more entrepreneurs will help the needy, regardless of religion or race. As long as I am successful, I will do my very best to help people,’’ he said.