(Seventh from left) Chan, Wong and Wang with the 10 Star Foundation recipients. — YAP CHEE HONG/ The Star
Ten welfare-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were recognised for their initiatives in community development, infrastructure, education, environmental protection and health.
Four recipients under Star Foundation’s Star Social Impact Grant (SSIG) and six people under the Supporting Non-Governmental Organisations (SNGO) programme received over RM315,000 in total during an event at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Social enterprise ReKayu was awarded RM15,000 for its recycled wood training.
Its founder Faizal Ayob, a former lecturer, said he lost his job during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I approached the then Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Subang Jaya area councillor Thomas Low. They gave me a space to run my woodworking programme with the community.
“We trained ex-prisoners who found it difficult to gain employment. With their woodworking skills, they are now able to make a living,” he said.
Faizal added that the Star Foundation grant has benefitted five B40 individuals and there were another five to be trained.
The Marine Conservation and Research Association Malaysia (Pulihara) received RM30,000 for the removal of harmful ghost nets around Pulau Lang Tengah in Terengganu.
The funds would be used to engage divers, both volunteers and interns, to clear abandoned nets from the waters, said Pulihara administrative coordinator Mary Lowe.
“From March to October this year, we had 70,000 hatchlings at Chakar Forest Beach in Kerteh.
“It is even more encouraging that seven female green sea turtles returned to the beaches, which we identified based on tagging. They came in 2022, 2023 and this year,” she said.
Pertubuhan Kebajikan Yesuvin Mahligai received RM33,944 to help refurbish its three shelter homes – children’s home, youth shelter and senior home.
Founder Dr Rajan Muniandy said there were cases of abandoned seniors who were sent to his home from hospitals.
“Their families do not want them, and even when they die, no one claims the body,” he said.
He said the homes were in need of mattresses, but roof repairs were the most urgent.
Other SNGO recipients were Malaysian Society of Wound Care Professionals which received RM49,450, Persatuan Kebajikan Kasih (RM17,990), Pertubuhan Pengurusan Rumah Anak-Anak Yatim dan Miskin “Anning”, Perak (RM18,500), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Berlian Ayer Tawar, Perak (RM16,373.60) and Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Taman Megah (RM44,242).
Other SSIG recipients were Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation which received RM50,000 while Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia received RM40,000 for efforts to protect and conserve newly discovered Southern River Terrapins in Sungai Kuantan.
Star Foundation chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng, Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and SMG chief operating officer Lydia Wang attended the event.
Wong said each of these efforts reflected the spirit of the Star Foundation.
“Our purpose goes beyond charitable giving.
“It is a commitment to supporting meaningful, sustainable initiatives so that ultimately, no one – no community, no child, no family – is left behind.
“As of November 2025, we are proud to share these milestones – the Medical Fund Programme has helped 25 beneficiaries, contributing RM1.315mil in medical aid.
“The Supporting NGOs Programme has benefitted 389 NGOs, with RM21.52mil in donations channelled to community causes.
“The Star Social Impact Grant has supported 19 projects, awarding RM849,000 to strengthen their reach and sustainability,” he said.
