Wednesday 12 September 2018

iProperty.com and Epic Home joint Corporate Social Responsibility to build house for Orang Asli (indegenious people) in Malaysia.


How much is expected to raise? 

According to the website 4,881 messages, worth RM5 per message, is 49% of the total expected, 

thus, 
the total is ([4,881 X RM5]X 100%)/49% =RM4,940.2834.



What is Epic Home and iProperty? Epic home is a NGO charity focus on building home for the less fortunate, particularly the Orang Asli (Aborigines-Malaysia). Whereas iProperty is a famous online property agent in Singapore Malaysia and some say Batam!

The two are perfect match in shaping the world of Orang Asli. Shelter is basic for survival and a comfortable one reduce mortality rate at birth and young children tremendously. besides, it protect occupants from elements such as wild beast, weather and bad human.  

I must say Epic Home got the right target group, the Orang Asli. Why? 

Because Orang Asli seldom vote and their population in West Malaysia is only 0.5%. Meaning even all of them vote also less than 0.5% (not all reach voting age) power in the election. There is no Member of Parliament represent them and they are not financially strong (not rich in modern financial term). Therefore, they have to bite the bitter reality that the decision making power lies on the hand of politician and those politician are only interested on what let them yield power. This is evidenced by the drop of nation's absolute poverty to 0.6% in 2016 across the whole country however more than 34% of Orang Asli still living in poverty. 

Democracy is good but not perfect. Politician are elected by voter to protect their own interest but not necessary the interest of the one most needed protection and help. This is especially so when empathy level of a society is low. Lucky there is Epic Home, meaning Malaysian have empathy toward others. 

While iProperty, as a successful profit-driven property agency might come from a more practical point of view, there is no negative in the collaboration. It is a win-win symbiotic relationship. Pragmatically, a project need money to run. If it is not from the government (tax from public and national wealth) or public donation then it is from big corporate. Giving it freely is good but it would be better if the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is seen by greater audience and participated by the public. This not only create public awareness about the situation of Orang Asli but also a sustainable marketing strategy to broadcast good image of the company to their potential clients. 

Sustainable Development's three pillars; society, environment, and economy, need to be balance and working in harmony to be successful. Although there might have rumours that CSR is merely window-dressing or it is how big corporate garner power to escape from any legal prosecution/ demand leeway from authority which is very prevalent in Malaysia. example the title 'Datuk' can enable the decorated person cut out red tape and probably even escape from law. However, I see this CSR as a genuine generous givings and the notion of RM5 per successful selected message actually help to spread love around and encourage more people to be kind and aware of the situation our brother(Orang Asli) suffer in the forest. 

The very basis of humanity is empathy but only we aware that we can ignite the empathy inside us. Human by nature help each other in effort to survive through difficulty, from ice age to the present, it is the collective effort that put us through. 

I think the methods of marketing is very constructive both economically and socially. This answer why I think this movement is genuine out of kindness. Because every Rm5 donated is not free, thus neither the Orang Asli nor the government owe iProperty any money or kind, because every RM5 paid is marketing fees from iProperty. There is probably 1 out of 100 that saw the advertisement will write a message, thus a 10,000 messages could have 1,000,000 person visited the web page. Those who written is surely an educated person thus having greater economy power (higher purchasing power for higher price property) and kind enough to spend time for the good cause, meaning they too feel the kindness in iProperty which translate the decision to buy property from iProperty. ~RM50k spend in CSR would generate multiple-fold of profit in return for everyone (iProperty, Epic Home, Orang Asli& public). 

Below are some of the message I participated in the program. Only 1 is chosen but I'm still happy that I did my part.  
Sarcastically narrated the problem of uncontrollable influx of illegal immigrants that damage local job market.


Unequal treatment result unequal poverty racial equity


Orang Asli (the Semang and Negritos) arrived from Africa directly 65,000years ago. Malay the Austronesian only reached here 4,500 years ago followed by Indian and Chinese. 


Despite Malaysia a colorful multiracial country but not all color skin is favoured. Racist policy continue to draw racial harmony further.


Home is where love is found. Orang Asli normally born in their own house and a decent home definitely increase chances of them make it to adulthood.


Johor property market is inflated by Singaporean investor and those earn sing dollar. Appreciate Singapore for the job opportunity but it indirectly result the property prices increase beyond the reach of poor.


Malaysia food is delicious but not always safe. Food hygiene is a huge problem. 


There are instances government try to exchange a huge piece of Orang Asli customary land for a very basic tiny brick house. But what is the use of brick house if the forest they depend on for survival is being cleared for others development?


I was going to say "A wonderful place where wander fools thing happen!" But I guess it would be too harsh.
I deliberately written as "Buleh" instead of "Boleh". Because Bangladeshi pronounce it as "Buleh" thus indirectly imply the slogan once chanted by only local is now being replaced by Bangladeshi.


This sarcastically means although we are same country but receive different treatment. 


This message means we are all human, belong to the same species, only arrived at different time and being labelled with different race. 


Apparently, this message is very pragmatic. You don't say you love them but no practical action. 




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