Sultan Ibrahim arriving at the state-level Thaipusam celebration at the Arulmigu Sri Balasubramaniar temple in Skudai, Johor Baru on Feb 5, 2023. With His Majesty are Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (in purple) and Sugumaran.
THE Sultanah Rogayah Foundation (YSR) holds firmly to the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, that it remains free from political interference so as to eradicate poverty and improve the living standards of the Indian community in Johor.
Its chairman, Datuk R. Sugumaran said YSR, established in 2015 in conjunction with the Sultan of Johor’s coronation, focuses on welfare, education, entrepreneurship and business development to empower the community.
Sugumaran: ‘His Majesty decreed that this foundation should not be for political purposes. It must be an entity or foundation that stands alone and is not linked to any party.’
The foundation itself was named Sultanah Rogayah, after a Sultanah of Johor who is of Indian descent.
“His Majesty appointed me and decreed that this foundation should not be for political purposes. It must be an entity that is independent and not linked to any political party,” he told Bernama recently.
Sugumaran said that, based on the mandate given by His Majesty, he appointed professionals to sit on the foundation’s board of directors.
The YSR’s board of directors includes a doctor for matters related to medicine and health, a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) professor for matters concerning academics and education, and a well-known lawyer in Johor for legal matters, he said.
The board also includes successful businessmen to handle matters related to entrepreneurship and business development, and the State Unity, Heritage and Culture Committee chairman K. Raven Kumar.
Sultan Ibrahim granting an audience to Sugumaran and other YSR board members in March 2023. — Photo from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia’s official Facebook page
“Raven Kumar was made a member of the board so that we can get feedback on the people’s wishes as conveyed through him,” he said.
Sugumaran, who was appointed YSR chairman in October 2022, said the foundation is allocated RM1mil every year by the state government to implement various programmes.
Of the RM1mil that was spent in 2023, about 60% was for education programmes, 30% for welfare and 10% for entrepreneurship and business development, he said.
The YSR, along with four other foundations, namely Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation, Raja Zarith Sofiah Johor Foundation, Sultanah Fatimah Foundation and Yayasan Kanser Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation, were recognised as Johor royal foundations by Sultan Ibrahim on July 5 last year to meet different needs and communities.
