Thank you BERSAMA Heroes

Raaginee (second from right) with her children (from left) Ravinesh, Kashmeera, Veena Yasmine and husband Sunny Shalesh. Sunny coaches football for the disabled.

RAAGINEE Shalesh’s dream is to build a place where special needs children can live independently and sustainably.

“This will be my last project to achieve in life before I am gone, to ensure my children (special needs children whom she cares for) can live a sustainable life independently by running businesses and generating their own income with minimal supervision.

“The centre can have food and beverage outlets, accommodation as well as facilities such as football field, badminton courts and gym – run by special needs children and can also be shared with orphans, single mothers and the needy ones too, ” said the 49-year-old mother of three, adding that she is seeking a piece of land and hopes any contributor or developer could donate a place for the project.

Raaginee, better known as Mrs Sunny, found her true meaning of life in educating and guiding special needs children and she dedicated herself to developing them physically and mentally over the past 30 years.

She set up Pusat Jagaan dan Latihan Insan Istimewa IMC in Subang Jaya, Selangor, in 2004 and a branch in Puchong in 2017, with over 70 special needs children under her care. Both centres offer vocational training and daycare, and are open to single parents and the homeless as well.

IMC’s mission is to provide basic education, lifestyle skills, behaviour therapy, employment training and sports activities, as sports is a platform to teach special children.

Raaginee is one of 30 Malaysians recognised as a BERSAMA Hero in Sime Darby Property’s #BERSAMA 2.0 Spotlight on Heroes campaign.

She was chosen from a pool of 421 nominees in the three-week campaign that called upon the public to shine a light on everyday heroes via the Group’s co-creation platform, dtoideas.com

10 sen goods and services

Kuan Chee Heng, 58, affectionately known as Uncle Kentang, founded the non-profit organisation Community Policing Malaysia in aid of the less fortunate.

Among his many charity projects are the Pasar 10 Sen where poor folk pay 10 sen or up to RM1 for daily necessities, the 10 sen taxi service, RM1 hostel, RM1 funeral hearse, and an ambulance service.

“We started with food aid and branched out to other initiatives when we got to know the needs of these poor communities from all over the country, ” he said.

“For instance, the 10 sen taxi service is for the sick and poor who can’t afford to travel for medical treatment, while those who need a place to stay during treatment can pay RM1 a day for the hostel.

Kuan’s Pasar 10 Sen sells goods to poor folk at 10 sen, or at most RM1.

“Pasar 10 Sen sells pre-loved items from the public – from clothes to appliances and even a car at one time – for a mere 10 sen.

“Sime Darby Property has done a great job in inspiring and encouraging people to do good.

“This award is for everyone who sacrificed their time and sweat to help others in need, ” said Kuan during a phone interview with The Star, which he had to occasionally pause to attend to queries and phone calls even though it was 10pm.

Words of encouragement

Hospital Sungai Buloh anaesthesiologist and intensive care specialist Dr Anand Kamalanathan, 36, started Project Stay Positive But Covid-19 Negative to lift the spirit at his stressful workplace with powerfully-worded banners and aesthetically-pleasing visual aids.

“I did a study on burnout among healthcare workers and found that almost 55% had the syndrome; this was published in the Journal of Anaesthesia in October 2020.

Dr Anand had to do something to lift the spirit at Hospital Sungai Buloh before the medical personnel crash and burn.

“I felt I had to do something to alleviate this parallel pandemic as many would call it, so I reached out to kind-hearted Malaysians with friends in the media who crowdsourced almost 250 different colourful posters.

“While I am honoured to be recognised as a BERSAMA Hero, my work pales in comparison to the dedication, strength and hardwork that my bosses and colleagues at Hospital Sungai Buloh have put in daily over the past year. Each and every one of them deserves this recognition, if not more, ” he said.

Fighting on the field

International Islamic University Malaysia public health medicine specialist assistant professor Dr Mohammad Farhan Rusli is actively working with various agencies and groups to combat the pandemic.

He is heavily involved on the field, be it in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor or Sabah.

“I am extremely grateful to just be on the list, let alone being chosen as a Hero. This recognition is not only an appreciation to me, but to everyone in my shoes who has sacrificed blood, sweat and tears for our country.

Dr Farhan is heavily involved in field work with various agencies and groups to combat the pandemic.

“The BERSAMA 2.0 campaign is a great initiative that rewards and values the efforts of people who are not in the spotlight.

“But I guess that is what makes all these heroes remarkable – they give their all without thinking of recognition or rewards, ” said Dr Mohammad Farhan.

Long hours on the road

Grab Food driver Ikmal Fikri Ahmad Fazilee’s day begins at 8am and ends 10pm, except on Sunday.

Ikmal Fikri all delighted with the surprise gift he received as a BERSAMA Hero.

Ikmal Fikri, 21, became a full-time Grab Food driver last year while waiting for his diploma course result from Kolej Vokasional Gerik, after he was released early from his internship due to the pandemic.

“Being acknowledged as a BERSAMA Hero means so much to me. It shows that my efforts in getting food safely to customers have been appreciated, ” he said.

Empowering Orang Asli

Jix Foo, 36, works with Orang Asli women to help them earn an income without having to leave their village.

“I am collaborating with The Asli Co as one of their community champions, teaching Orang Asli women how to use a sewing machine and to sew masks and other projects for a living.

Foo showing Orang Asli women how to use a sewing machine. She teaches them to sew masks and other items for a living without having to leave their village.

“The Asli Co is a social enterprise empowering indigenous mothers in Malaysia to earn a sustainable income.

“Especially during this pandemic and during MCO, many Orang Asli communities were forgotten and because many of the men are day labourers, their source of income has been greatly affected, ” said Foo.

Enlightening campaign

Sime Darby Property’s #BERSAMA Spotlight on Heroes campaign drew hundreds of heartwarming stories of hope and kindness when the movement began in December 2020.

The stories featured individuals from all walks of life, including volunteers, community leaders, educators, family members and friends whose good deeds and selfless acts during the pandemic deserve recognition.

The 30 BERSAMA Heroes were due for a restful weekend at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club Resort, but with the restrictions in place, Sime Darby Property delivered specially curated gifts instead, some of which were sponsored by Auto Bavaria and MST Golf.

To view all nominations, go to https://bit.ly/BERSAMA2_Heroes