Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications of BMW Group Malaysia said, “Covid-19 challenges many of us to be out of our elements, but we at BMW also saw many individuals and businesses who have pivoted to thrive in such challenging times. We are inspired by them. Collaborating with emerging local businesses, we want to highlight their individual dynamic independent spirit, their sheer determination and resilience – all of which have allowed them to rise above the adversity and challenges ahead of us.”

Each organisation have designed their own artful camouflages and will be featured on several upcoming BMW vehicles. You can spot them over the next few weeks. When you do, you can win exclusively-designed BMW merchandises created in collaboration with Komuniti Tukang Jahit, Changgih Designs, INKAA and Kanoe. More information can be had on BMW Malaysia’s Facebook and Instagram.

In the meantime, do check out the art pieces below and what it means to each organisation.

Komuniti Tukang Jahit — Empowering the B40 Women Community.Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ) is a social enterprise that empowers the B40 women community consisting of single women, single mothers, the OKU group, and stay-at-home mothers. They provide certified upskill training and job opportunities for home-based tailors to earn a sustainable income through sewing orders. During the Movement Control Order (MCO), KTJ joined forces with several local non-profit organisations to help overcome the shortage of face masks for front-liners, the marginalised and underprivileged communities. KTJ taught its community of home-based tailors to sew washable, reusable, and practical face masks through online training and tutorials.The Design.The exclusive art piece designed for BMW Malaysia is inspired by Kak Azie, a founding member and seamstress with KTJ for almost two years. KTJ celebrates her commitment and determination as a woman of the household through the design, which also reflects the hearts of all the strong women and mothers fighting for a better life, especially in these challenging times. The woman with the face mask represents empowerment. At the same time, the tigress and her cub are the embodiment of a mother’s love – which prevails even through the greatest dangers. Meanwhile, the batik design which intertwines with the hibiscus serves to remind us of what a beauty Malaysia is.

Changgih Designs — Modern Fashion meets Borneon Heritage.Joanna Moss and Bethany Dawson founded Changgih Designs as two new, passionate mothers from Sabah who wanted to create crafts for their children. They were then inspired to help mothers from villages with vocational training and job opportunities. Today, the social enterprise blends the heritage of Borneo with contemporary fashion in a collection of hand-stitched handbags, wallets, scarves, accessories, masks, and wearable art made by artisans in villages across Sabah. During the pandemic, Changgih Designs also rallied other local Sabahan businesses to start a fundraiser to help the community. They dedicated funds from their Give10toSabah programme – where 10% of proceeds from sales are set aside, to purchase food bundles for families in need.The Design.The Binonduk design, featured for BMW Malaysia combines two motifs from the Rungus people of Sabah. As incredible storytellers, the Rungus people have been using traditional motifs to educate and remind their future generations of the wisdom and character traits they desire to impart on them. There are two traditional designs in the featured Binonduk artwork. The first is the small strip running down the back of the car– ‘Binonduk Peningkuku’, which shape resembles a wilting tree that easily sways following the wind. This traditional motif speaks to ‘pendirian’. It teaches the next generation to be anything but the tree. Instead, one should do the right thing, be willing to fight for what one believes in and to not be swayed by popular opinion. The second traditional design is a combination of two – the ‘Vinusak’ and ‘Binonduk Pindahamad’. It describes a bird flying sideways on a hillside, not following any direction or rules but does what it desires instead. These two designs make for a perfect combination to nurture confident leaders, as they are the artisans and sculptors of the new tomorrow.

INKAA — Celebrating People & Appreciating the Power of Storytelling.INKAA is a collaborative effort with grassroots organisations and artisans in Malaysia. They create beautiful products while promoting more understanding and communication between individuals and the people they work with. It is a brand that honours artisans and preserves heritage. INKAA sources traditional ‘batik cop’ (block batik) textiles handmade by three artisans in Terengganu, creating unique fabric designs where no two pieces are the same. INKAA is also committed to creating new opportunities for the communities by promoting sustainable income and reinvesting proceeds into empowerment projects. INKAA believes that diversity and craftsmanship should be celebrated, as does every contribution deserves appreciation. Hence, every product is hand-signed by the person who made it to connect the product to its makers.Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, INKAA continues to strive in creating not just beautiful products but creating income opportunities for the community of Mang Tha, a women-led refugee empowerment group in Kuala Lumpur. The income generated through each product sale benefited 30 to 45 women in supporting their families.The Design.With a contemporary touch, the featured design from INKAA on the new vehicle from BMW Malaysia merges traditional floral and geometrical-based motifs inspired by the Malaysian batik. The repetitive motifs reflect the terap (stamping) technique commonly used in Terengganu and Kelantan. At the same time, the arrangement of the design is primarily inspired by the ‘batik sarong’ that has been worn across generations. It consists of kepala kain (the central panel), apit kain (the vertical frame), and badan kain (the main body). Subtly incorporated into the design is INKAA’s logo, which is based on the pilcrow symbol signifying ‘the beginning of a new train of thought’.

Kanoe — Beautiful Garments from Natural Fibre.Kanoe is a homegrown brand that sets out to promote better living throughout their design and production process, ensuring that everyone involved from the beginning to the end of the process benefits from it. Kanoe’s garments are made from natural fibre and are designed in-house. The business also works with local businesses, artisans, and communities in need to promote handmade work, a healthy working environment, and a fair wage.Kanoe continues to be advocates of zero-waste ethical wear as they stay driven in creating more uniquely designed wearables, parallel with the times, such as batik face masks.The Design.The hand-stamped batik print featured on the new vehicle from BMW Malaysia represents a starry night, and hope in the darkness. This is a reminder for us to look for the light that shines brightest in the darkest hour – a reminder during these unprecedented times to always keep hope in our hearts.

The post Rojak Daily | BMW Malaysia Disguises Upcoming BMW Cars With Art By COVID-19 Fighters appeared first on KTJ Malaysia.

Beberapa agensi seperti Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia dan Mercy Malaysia kerap tampil memberi bantuan tenaga dan kewangan kepada yang memerlukan. Namun, mereka memerlukan dana sumbangan pelbagai pihak untuk terus mencurah bakti.

Kewujudan perniagaan keusahawanan sosial (SE) masa kini menggabungkan objektif keusahawanan berasaskan untung bersama, hasrat meningkatkan keprihatinan kepada komuniti dan golongan lemah atau bermasalah.

Kejayaan beberapa syarikat permulaan berkonsep SE semakin diperkatakan. Ia tidak hanya dilihat sebagai syarikat berasaskan kesukarelawanan dan komitmen sivik yang tinggi semata-mata.

Perbezaan kritikal antara SE dan keusahawanan tradisional dapat dilihat dalam misi utama organisasi dan kesannya kepada pasaran disasar.

Konsep SE berbeza dengan jenis model keusahawanan lain kerana usaha mencari pengaruh berkaitan misi yang dikenal pasti. Sejak beberapa tahun lalu, Malaysia menyaksikan kemajuan luar jangka dalam bidang SE dan menarik perhatian pelbagai sektor.

Usahawan sosial menekankan cara membasmi tekanan dan masalah sosial masyarakat dengan menghasilkan produk atau servis yang dapat membantu masyarakat berkenaan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Pusat Inovasi dan Kreativiti Global Malaysia (MaGIC), Dzuleira Abu Bakar, berkongsi beberapa contoh SE yang menyumbang kepada masyarakat kurang bernasib baik.

Ini termasuk Animal Projects and Environmental Education Sdn Bhd yang membantu pemeliharaan alam sekitar, Langit Collective yang bekerja dengan petani kecil di Sabah dan Sarawak, serta Komuniti Tukang Jahit yang memberikan latihan perniagaan kepada suri rumah dan ibu tunggal.

Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Mansor Othman, mengakui SE antara alternatif menarik untuk mengurangkan masalah graduan tidak bekerja.

Pada masa kini, dianggarkan 330,557 yang menganggur boleh membabitkan diri dalam SE.

Sebenarnya graduan mempunyai idea baik dan bernas untuk membantu dalam isu sosial masyarakat, namun di peringkat universiti tidak banyak aktiviti untuk menarik minat mereka ke arah SE.

Projek kebajikan anjuran Khind Starfish Foundation antara inisiatif untuk semua pelajar di Malaysia merancang projek akar umbi di Malaysia, demi mempromosikan kebahagiaan dan menangani punca kemiskinan dan pendidikan yang buruk.

Mereka yang layak diberi pembiayaan maksimum RM10,000 setiap projek. Namun tidak banyak projek dipilih, diteruskan sebagai SE selepas graduasi.

Di universiti, pelajar masih didedahkan untuk berniaga mencari untung kewangan semata-mata.

Namun, seperti perniagaan lain, modal juga menjadi masalah utama. Bakal usahawan perlu mengenal pasti misi atau masyarakat yang hendak dibantu.

Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) mula melihat peluang menggalakkan graduan menyertai SE dengan dana RM650,000 diperuntukkan bagi melatih 600 mahasiswa di universiti awam, politeknik dan kolej komuniti dalam bidang itu melalui Program Keusahawanan Peringkat Nasional 2020/2021 University To Community.

Program seperti itu mampu memberi impak besar untuk mengangkat agenda keusahawanan di IPT. Untuk suntikan modal, beberapa agensi boleh memperkenalkan syarikat permulaan ini dengan pelabur.

Kerajaan juga menawarkan beberapa insentif berbentuk pelepasan cukai dan akreditasi. Pada Ogos lalu, Menteri Sains Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI), Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, mengumumkan Geran Padanan Impak Sosial (SIM) berjumlah RM10 juta. MaGIC Malaysia diberi tanggungjawab menyelia pemberian Geran SIM bagi pihak kerajaan.

Pemberian geran bertujuan menyokong SE dan perniagaan berimpak sosial untuk mengekalkan inisiatif dan program mereka, memanfaatkan kemampuan untuk mengumpul dana, meningkatkan kesedaran masyarakat dalam inovasi sosial dan meningkatkan penyelesaian untuk hasil sosial dan ekosistem yang baik.

Peluang ini perlu direbut golongan menganggur untuk membina kejayaan melalui SE. Mana tahu suatu hari nanti, golongan ini akan menjadi sehebat tokoh SE dunia seperti Muhammad Yunus (Pengasas Grameen Bank), Blake Mycoskie (Pengasas Chief Shoe Giver) atau Adam Braun (Pengasas Pencils of Promise).

The post BH Online | Manfaat Keusahawanan Sosial appeared first on KTJ Malaysia.

Malaysians generally understand and support these stringent measures to curb the risks of a spread, after witnessing second waves of infections across the world.

But frustration is a sentiment hard to countenance when sporting events play to empty venues and entertainment venues remain shut.

In this context, it’s worth remembering how far the country has come and how COVID-19 has demonstrated cohesiveness among Malaysians.

THE SCARE OF A SUPER-SPREADER EVENT

Malaysia’s tribulation began six months ago when it experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases starting from Mar 15, with more than 100 new infections per day.

Most of the surge in infections were traced to a 16,000-strong religious event held in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur organised by the Islamic missionary group Tabligh Jamaat.

Not long after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in, the Malaysian government moved swiftly to impose the Movement Control Order (MCO) on Mar 18 and ramped up healthcare and testing capacities.

The MCO made the sum difference in bringing the spread to heel, along with the willingness of businesses, communities and Malaysians to comply. Within two months the reproduction rate of COVID-19 declined spectacularly from the initial 3.5 to 0.3.

While COVID-19 would not have been contained without a strong, effective government response, Malaysians from all walks of life also actively contributed in tackling the health crisis through a series of bottom-up initiatives and brought hope to the marginalised in society.

NGOS ROSE TO HELP WITH MASKS

As COVID-19 intensified, the demand for face masks surged with three-ply surgical masks rising to RM2 a piece in late March.

While the Malaysian government imposed an export ban and a price ceiling, civil society groups moved into action to help supply low-income Malaysians, particularly large households.

Non-government organisation (NGO) Yayasan Kebajikan Suria Johor Bahru (YBS) started an initiative to deliver face masks and other essential food supplies to needy residents in Johor Bahru, and had distributed close to RM600,000 worth of financial aid, infant formula and food packets as of end June.

By end-March, even more NGOs and social enterprises got together to form a network of tailors who worked to sew and deliver cloth masks when national supplies started to dwindle, spearheaded by Komuniti Tukang Jahit, SUKA Society and Caremongering Malaysia Community.

UNCLOGGING BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC AID

Malaysians also moved to help those economically disenfranchised, whose livelihoods and access to daily necessities were impacted by the10km travel radius imposed by the MCO.

While the Malaysian government had devised various assistance programmes and cash handouts to aid struggling low-income households, about 8.2 million, including marginalised communities comprising the Orang Asli, migrants and refugees, were excluded from such schemes where many were not registered with agencies disbursing aid, according to researchers Bridget Welsh and Calvin Cheng in an April opinion piece in Malaysiakini.

For those eligible, access to physical aid was also a chief problem for rural areas given the challenges of poor digital and physical connectivity.

Local administrative networks were weak, with the Perikatan Nasional state officials for Johor, Perak and Melaka only assuming their positions in early March, leaving a gap between the initial outbreak of the coronavirus and the appointment of village heads who typically play an important role in implementing governmental assistance schemes.

A mini crisis had erupted when Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced in end-March that the Welfare Department would be taking over distribution of aid, working with the Malaysian Armed Forces and the People’s Volunteer Corps.

Their limitations were quickly made apparent, as the department became overwhelmed with phonecalls from thousands of Malaysians stranded without assistance. Mr Ismail’s directive was rescinded within days.

FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES FACING ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS GET AID

Indeed, it was NGOs and citizen-led initiatives, with the networks, intelligence and the ability to mobilise untapped resources that arrested the precarity of Malaysia’s most vulnerable population groups.

Kelab Alami Mukim Tanjung Kupang in Gelang Patah for instance, launched a Big Fish Bailout, buying excess catch from fishermen who used to sell a sizeable share to restaurants but saw a sharp decline in business and plummeting incomes with the onset of MCO.

These were delivered to homes, shelters and low-income families in Johor Bahru, in collaboration with other NGOs in the Iskandar Malaysia Social Heroes Network.

Since April, a COVID-19 Orang Asli Fund, established as a joint project between three Malaysian-based NGOs namely the Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC), Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur and Impian Malaysia. The fund disbursed food assistance to indigenous people who faced barriers in selling their rubber and palm oil produce and could not afford food supplies and other necessities during the MCO.

NGOs also became platforms for local businesses, foundations and expatriate communities to plug in to sponsor aid and support existing schemes like the MyKasih food aid programme, which raised RM3 million by April.

SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS

These actions demonstrate the powerful role Malaysian civil society has played in helping the vulnerable during these trying times.

Yet sometimes it’s also small acts of kindness that can lift the human spirit. Recent stories in The Star in August of a couple living near Penang who decided to clear their streets of mask litter each week and the 34-year-old man who helped his elderly neighbour do her groceries show Malaysians have a big heart and want to do their part to help others.  

Tales shared by netizens over social media via the trending hashtag #KitaJagaKita have been heart-warming.

The challenge is far from over, as the virus continues to strain every thread in the fabric of society and test how communities around the world will respond when confidence in longstanding practices and national institutions is shaken.

But Malaysians can take comfort in their collective response thus far to this existential threat.

The post AirAsia | 5 Malaysian Social Enterprises to Support This Eid appeared first on KTJ Malaysia.

The post CNA (Channel News Asia) | Commentary: Malaysia a kinder and stronger society six months into COVID-19 fight appeared first on KTJ Malaysia.

Malaysian brands to fuel your modern batik obsession

Malaysian brands to fuel your modern batik obsession

KUALA LUMPUR: The scarcity of face mask supplies in the country has prompted non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local social enterprises to team up to help the community tackle the problem.

Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ), Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-Kanak Malaysia (SUKA Society), and Caremongering Malaysia Community (CMC) have joined hands to tailor cloth-based face masks for those in need, especially those in the food delivery services as well as the public.

KTJ’s Chief Executive Officer and founder Yap Sue Yi stressed that the face masks are non-regulation and that they were not targeted at healthcare frontliners.

“The idea was to tailor cloth-based face masks that are washable, reusable, and practical. The cloth-based face masks are also tailored to be lightweight and have pockets for changeable tissue for short-time filtration.

“We believe acting upon this idea is more like a quick response for volunteers and individuals in the essential services, who are in need of reliable face masks since the supply of regulated N95 and three-ply face masks are either limited or out of stock.

“And at the same time, we want to help the community, especially the stay-at-home mothers from B40 communities through job creations from this small effort,” Yap said in a statement.

The project kickstarted with 100 pieces of face masks to be distributed for the first batch. The production numbers would be ramped up gradually to cater to new demands from other NGOs in the future.

The collaboration has taken aboard all safety measures in terms of the masks’ distribution to ensure they are complying with the regulation set during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.

“In terms of distribution, we have come up with the safest and least human-to-human contact delivery plan. We take into account the need for social distancing too,” Yap said.

The volunteer tailors are equipped with sewing skills through online training and tutorials. The sewing kit, which includes fabrics and other materials for the home-based tailors, was delivered to their doorstep.

Once the masks are ready to be distributed, the tailors would alert the person in charge to pick it up from their doorstep for distribution.

“We are open to collaborations with any local social enterprises out there as we believe this is the time to give back to our society through any resources or help that we can provide,” Yap said.

The post Yahoo News | Malaysian Brands to Fuel Your Modern Batik Obsession appeared first on KTJ Malaysia.

Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ), Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-Kanak Malaysia (SUKA Society), and Caremongering Malaysia Community (CMC) have joined hands to tailor cloth-based face masks for those in need, especially those in the food delivery services as well as the public.

KTJ’s Chief Executive Officer and founder Yap Sue Yi stressed that the face masks are non-regulation and that they were not targeted at healthcare frontliners.

“The idea was to tailor cloth-based face masks that are washable, reusable, and practical. The cloth-based face masks are also tailored to be lightweight and have pockets for changeable tissue for short-time filtration.

“We believe acting upon this idea is more like a quick response for volunteers and individuals in the essential services, who are in need of reliable face masks since the supply of regulated N95 and three-ply face masks are either limited or out of stock.

“And at the same time, we want to help the community, especially the stay-at-home mothers from B40 communities through job creations from this small effort,” Yap said in a statement.

The project kickstarted with 100 pieces of face masks to be distributed for the first batch. The production numbers would be ramped up gradually to cater to new demands from other NGOs in the future.

The collaboration has taken aboard all safety measures in terms of the masks’ distribution to ensure they are complying with the regulation set during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.

“In terms of distribution, we have come up with the safest and least human-to-human contact delivery plan. We take into account the need for social distancing too,” Yap said.

The volunteer tailors are equipped with sewing skills through online training and tutorials. The sewing kit, which includes fabrics and other materials for the home-based tailors, was delivered to their doorstep.

Once the masks are ready to be distributed, the tailors would alert the person in charge to pick it up from their doorstep for distribution.

“We are open to collaborations with any local social enterprises out there as we believe this is the time to give back to our society through any resources or help that we can provide,” Yap said.

The post NST | Komuniti Tukang Jahit Produced Cloth Face Masks to Help Those in Need appeared first on KTJ Malaysia.

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