PETALING JAYA: A fashion mask made by Komuniti Tukang Jahit Malaysia (KTJ) raised RM16,000 for charity, possibly creating a record for the most expensive face mask ever sold here.

Dubbed the Glam Mask, it sports sequins and beads and took several days to make, said KTJ CEO Yap Sue Yii.

The publicity-shy buyer only wanted to be known as Rabbit 63, she said.

“We took part in this initiative to help those who are in need, including social enterprises, during the Covid-19 pandemic through our participation in the Social Enterprise Sustainability Initiative (SESI), ” she said.

SESI is a collaboration between SocioBiz by the Alliance Islamic Bank, Citrine Capital, an impact investor, NGOhub as a charity partner, and the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), a government agency that supports creativity and innovation development in Malaysia.

“This initiative is a true reflection of our Malaysian spirit as it allowed us to forge meaningful partnerships to solve social issues.

“In this case, by infusing the elements of colour and glitter in the midst of a pandemic, KTJ managed to create the Glam Mask to help raise funds to support these worthwhile causes.

“By coming together, these partners have only one goal in mind – to provide aid to the communities in need, ” said Yap.

KTJ supports home-based tailors by providing them job opportunities so that they can earn an income.

However, the social enterprise that is reliant on making hand-sewn corporate gifts was badly hit in the early days of the pandemic when orders dried up.

“We already face many challenges in the gifts industry, where we have to compete with the big boys, and come up with quality products at price points that companies are comfortable with, while also helping the community at the same time, ” she said.

With about 50 tailors, KTJ is now adding more tailors to its network.

“At just two years old, KTJ is rather young, and we are still learning a lot of things. When Covid-19 arrived, a lot of things changed, and we had to figure out how to help our tailors who were stuck at home.

“It was a blessing in disguise at it forced us to reform our fundamentals overnight. If we don’t pivot in time, we die, ” said Yap.

“On the business side, people needed fabric masks quickly because at that time, three-ply masks were too expensive to be used daily.”

KTJ’s best-selling product now is the fabric face mask that uses the batik motif.

On the Glam Mask, Yap said it was an idea that came from one of KTJ’s beneficiaries, the SocioBiz, which was set up to crowdfund to help the disadvantaged earn a livelihood.

“KTJ wants to do more by supporting this campaign, and so we designed a mask with lots of glitter and shiny things.

“This is not a gimmick, but has a purpose behind it, with the most important being the impact it creates, ” said Yap.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian groups are getting together and advocating for reusable face masks to protect the environment.

Many of those who are environmentally conscious decry the usage of disposable masks outside healthcare settings, where the risk does not seem to justify the mountain of plastic being generated when people discard single-use masks.

Carolyn Lau, an advocate for waste minimisation through Sampah.Menyampah, a group she co-founded, said disposable masks were the “new polluting plastic bag” when thoughtlessly discarded.

“A properly fitted fabric mask will be more effective than some non-N95 disposable ones that are worn incorrectly, ” said Lau, a landscape architect who had been wearing a self-made fabric mask for the last 10 weeks.

The use of reusable or fabric masks among non-frontliners and those who are not exposed to high risk is increasingly acceptable, with the World Health Organisation guideline that was revised on June 19 allowing for fabric masks for these people.

WHO’s advisory can be found at www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks. The site contains advice on how to wear a fabric mask safely.

There has been an increasing availability of fabric masks made by home-based entrepreneurs and even high-end fashion houses.

This is despite the decreasing prices of disposable masks. For example, a three-ply single-use medical mask can go down as low as 80 sen a piece, even though the ceiling price was set at RM1.50 on March 30.

Prof Moy Foong Ming, from Universiti Malaya’s Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, said reusable masks could be a viable solution as not everyone could afford to keep paying for disposables.

“My view is that we should ‘strongly encourage’ people to wear masks, especially when they are in places with poor ventilation, or where social distancing is not possible, in crowded places, using public transport, or when visiting any healthcare facility, ” she said.

Faizal Hamid, a senior fashion lecturer at UiTM, said that masks were “assuredly part of our future”.

“Mass mask-wearing will create a feeling of connection with those around us, especially when you are motivated by the need to protect others.

“Wearing a mask is a sartorial sign that you are willing to sacrifice a bit of personal freedom and comfort for the common good, ” he said.

Faizal said that those who were on the lookout for fabric masks were increasingly spoilt for choice.

“Lots of high-end brands are producing them. There is a mask for every taste and budget. Options range from those made with fine Italian fabric, others with sequins, and so on, ” he said.

“I think the fashion industry is committed towards producing something that does both – a mask that provides protection while offering a form of expression for the wearer, ” he said.

Fashion designer Melinda Looi said: “In places like South Korea and Japan, masks are worn during periods of high air pollution.

“In Malaysia, we also saw people wearing masks or respirators during the last episode of haze.

“There were also those who wore masks when they were sick for the sake of others around them, though on a much smaller scale compared to the Koreans and Japanese, ” said Looi, who fashions her masks from materials ranging form batik to jacquard to cotton.

“We also have our own prints, to give more colours to life, ” she said, adding that surgical masks should be reserved for frontliners and at-risk groups.

“The general public should stop using surgical masks, as they are bad for the environment.

“The use of disposables in hospitals is acceptable as they have proper ways to dispose of used personal protective equipment.

“In our cities, we can see so many disposable masks thrown all over, with people dumping them carelessly just before entering their cars.”

Waste minimisation aside, Looi was of the view that a mask was now a “must-have” accessory.

“Covid-19 is already a part of our lives. We must ensure that we continue to maintain good hygiene, and wear something to protect ourselves and those around us.”

Looi collaborated with another Malaysian designer Datuk Tom Abang Saufi to produce the #UnityMask in May as a tribute for frontliners, with a portion of proceeds going towards charity.

Social enterprises such as Komuniti Tukang Jahit Malaysia have changed their product range to include batik-themed masks so that their network of tailors from the B40 community can continue to have income during the MCO period.

KUMPULAN Suria KLCC melancarkan Kempen Welcome Back yang mengetengahkan konsep Safe & Easy Shopping pasca-MCO (Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan).

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Suria KLCC Sdn Bhd, Andrew Brien berkata, inisiatif itu bagi meningkatkan kesedaran dan keyakinan pembeli terhadap Kumpulan Suria KLCC sebagai destinasi membeli-belah yang selamat.

Menurutnya, melalui kempen itu, pihaknya terus bersedia memberikan pengalaman terbaik di semua kompleks membeli-belah rangkaian Kumpulan Suria KLCC.“Pusat beli-belah Suria KLCC (Kuala Lumpur), Alamanda (Putrajaya) dan Mesra Mall (Kertih) yang mementingkan aspek ‘selamat dan mudah’ memperkenalkan pelbagai inovatif bagi memenuhi keperluan pelanggan kami.

“Atas tanggungjawab sosial korporat (CSR), Kumpulan Suria KLCC juga giat bekerjasama dengan Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ), sebuah organisasi sosial yang bekerja untuk kepentingan masyarakat di dalam segmen B40 di negara ini,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Beliau berkata, menerusi inisiatif itu, pihaknya memberi peluang kepada KTJ untuk menghasilkan pelitup muka rekaan batik yang boleh diguna pakai semula.

Katanya, ia dijahit oleh golongan kurang bernasib baik di sekitar Lembah Klang yang aktif mencari hasil pendapatan melalui penjualan pelitup muka.

Menurutnya, Kumpulan Suria KLCC juga mengedarkan 50 essential kit (pelitup muka bercorak batik dan tisu pembasmi kuman berasaskan alkohol) secara percuma kepada pembeli setiap hari dan keutamaan diberi kepada warga emas, wanita hamil, ibu bapa bersama keluarga dan orang kurang upaya (OKU).

PETALING JAYA, July 20 — It will be a little bit different for students this time around when schools eventually do reopen fully. 

Some students, especially those from underprivileged families, will find it a little harder to get used to the new normal in school, with new SOPs and safety requirements in place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a bid to lighten the burden faced by less fortunate students, 7-Eleven Malaysia has started an initiative to donate essential items to keep them safe and protected while in school. 

In collaboration with its partner NGOhub, 7-Eleven is set to donate stationery sets and reusable batik face masks to charitable organisations and orphanages around the country.

7-Eleven Malaysia’s general manager of marketing Ronan Lee said in a press release that it is their duty to aid local communities around them, especially the youth, now more than ever. 

“It is part of our corporate values to assist the local communities that we serve and it is of paramount importance that our younger generations, especially those from less fortunate situations, are well equipped to face the changing situation as schools nationwide reopen in stages.

“We hope this contribution will go some way to alleviating any burden faced by the recipients in their pursuit of academic excellence.”

Among the recipients nclude Rumah Kasih, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Asnaf Raudhatul Jannah, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Asnaf Al Barakh, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ukhuwah Anak Yatim Miskin Daerah Sabak Bernam and Rumah Pengasih Warga Prihatin.

Lee added that this initiative has also helped out another underprivileged community, as the reusable face masks are tailored by a group of single mothers.

“We are pleased that our contribution economically benefited another disadvantaged segment of our community indirectly,” he said. 

“The reusable batik face masks are hand-tailored by housewives and single mothers from low-income households through a social enterprise Komuniti Tukang Jahit, that seeks to empower women, one household at a time.”

The recipients of 7-Eleven’s aid will also receive items such as new stationery as the children head back to school.

“We truly appreciate this much-needed donation as it will be very helpful to better protect our less fortunate children, aged between seven and 16,” said Rumah Kasih caretaker Sarah Ng.

“Ripples of joy are clearly reflected in the faces of the children when they received the stationery sets. In fact, they were very excited to return to school. So, to have these face masks available as well will certainly give them the protection they need.”

Zawalajam Mashod of Pertubuhan Rumah Kebajikan Asnaf Raudhatul Jannah echhoed Ng’s praise as he said that 7-Eleven was doing him a big favour with the contribution of the face masks. 

“This contribution helps lighten our load. These items will certainly come in handy for our kids when they return to school. 

“They spend a lot of time there, and we believe that with these face masks, they will learn the importance of hygiene and to practice social distancing at school.”

All schools nationwide, both primary and secondary, began welcoming all students in phases beginning July 15 with a strict set of SOPs and safety measures in place, with schools expected to fully reopen beginning July 22.

Shah Alam: Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) bekerjasama dengan Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ) bagi menghasilkan pelitup muka untuk diagihkan kepada warga kerja Air Selangor.

Difahamkan, golongan wanita B40 yang mempunyai kemahiran menjahit dipilih bagi melakukan tugasan itu sekaligus memperolehi pendapatan sampingan hasil kerja tangan dilakukan.

Ketua Komunikasi Korporat Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, Elina Baseri berkata, sebanyak 5,000 pelitup muka ditempah dan ini

secara langsung memberi pendapatan tambahan kepada komuniti yang terkesan dengan situasi pandemik Covid-19 ini.

“Air Selangor turut bekerjasama dengan pertubuhan seni KL Sketch Nation untuk menghasilkan rekaan pelitup muka ini. Program Sesama Mara adalah inisiatif akar umbi bertujuan membantu komuniti sekeliling.

“Di samping itu ia bertujuan memperkukuhkan hubungan Air Selangor dengan pelbagai lapisan masyarakat seperti komuniti setempat, persatuan penduduk, pihak berkuasa,” katanya.

Sementara itu Air Selangor turut menyampaikan bantuan kepada anak-anak kurang bernasib baik daripada Rumah Victory di Taman OUG, Jalan Klang Lama dan Rumah K.I.D.S di USJ, Subang diraikan oleh Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) sempena perayaan Krismas lusa.

Menurutnya, Air Selangor terus aktif menjalankan program tanggungjawab sosial korporat (CSR) Sesama Mara dengan berkongsi keceriaan perayaan Krismas bersama insan kurang bernasib baik itu.

“Dalam program ini, Air Selangor menyumbang barangan keperluan asas seperti barangan dapur, makanan dan barangan rumah kepada kedua-dua rumah terbabit.

“Anak-anak di rumah perlindungan ini juga diberi hadiah bersempena sambutan Krismas yang akan disambut Jumaat ini.

A remarkable collaboration between a luxurious automotive brand and a local social enterprise

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