LED by a community-first approach, IOI Properties Group (IOIPG) is committed to creating meaningful value for its communities – be it conserving precious resources, helping communities in need, supporting future generations, or creating urban green spaces for people and nature to thrive in harmony.
Encompassing values that can make a difference, these efforts are in support of Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and demonstrates IOIPG’s dedication towards the greater value of making a positive impact on surrounding communities.
Raising awareness on water security
IOI Water for Life is in line with UNSDG Goal 6, which is to ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
To encourage sustainable living through water conservation and responsible consumption of natural resources, IOIPG has collaborated with its business partners and contractors to build rainwater harvesting systems within the communities in which it operates.
Since 2021, rain harvesting systems have been installed in SJK(T) Sg Ara in Penang; Rumah Shalom in Puchong; Surau Al-Munawwarah in Klang and Rumah Orang Tua Bukit Siput in Segamat, amongst others.
This is in addition to the IOI Water for Life initiative, whereby IOIPG collaborated with Pertubuhan Komuniti Elite to provide Orang Asli communities access to clean drinking water. Consumption of contaminated water can cause diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery and typhoid.
Hence, through this corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, IOIPG wants to create awareness among its staff and the general public about the lack of potable water supply to the Orang Asli communities. IOIPG has identified suitable water filters that can treat raw water into potable water.
Via IOI Water for Life, IOIPG and its business associates raised funds to deploy water filters to Orang Asli communities in Johor, namely Kampung Orang Asli Gunung Arung, Endau; Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Salam, Ulu Tiram, as well as Kampung Chemomoi in Pahang.
The initiatives are well in line with UNSDG Goal 6, which is to ensure access to water and sanitation for all, as well as address the quality and sustainability of water resources that are critical to the survival of people and the planet.
Along the same lines, IOIPG also organised a mudball activity at Hutan Bandar Kulai this year. Together with the Kulai Municipal Council and the local community, the team released about 12,000 mudballs to improve the water quality of the lake at Hutan Bandar Kulai and create a conducive habitat for the biodiverse flora and fauna to thrive.
Building urban green spaces for life
With the aim of fostering community well-being, IOIPG also focuses its efforts on providing communal green spaces that encourage interaction and recreational activities, while at the same time, providing an eco-friendly habitat for urban biodiversity.
Consisting of distinctive themed gardens and recreational areas, these communal green spaces are furnished with facilities and fixtures that encourage healthy lifestyles and integrated communities.
At the same time, these spaces act as carbon sequestration sites, while providing fresh air to the local communities.
These green parks include Central Park in 16 Sierra; themed parklands in Warisan Puteri Sepang; Oasis Park in Bandar Puteri Bangi and Bandar Puteri Town Park in Bandar Puteri Puchong, as well as the 100-acre Hutan Bandar Kulai in Johor.
Upgrading works of the RM1.4mil Bandar Puteri Town Park was concluded in the first quarter of 2022. The urban regeneration of this 11-acre park features upgraded walkways and cycling tracks, a playground, fitness stations and benches to improve the park experience for the local community.
Furthermore, solar-powered lighting has also been installed in the park to reduce its carbon footprint.
But IOIPG is not resting on its laurels, as the group will be revealing its upcoming IOI Resort City Central Park.
The 10-acre park, which will be anchored by a lake and various features that enable communities to thrive harmoniously with nature, has an estimated development cost of approximately RM53.6mil.
As part of its commitments towards its biodiversity target of preserving 5% of trees of every valuable species, an inventory study was done to identify and preserve trees listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species for in-situ conservation before the construction of the facility begins
These efforts build on top of the group’s drive towards a greener future and reducing carbon footprint by building sustainability into its developments.
Advocating low carbon lifestyles
In April 2022, a dedicated underpass for direct access into IOI Rio to ease traffic in Lebuh Puteri, as well as an additional underpass measuring 80m in length under the Rio City Interchange, were officially opened.
By embracing transit-oriented developments to advocate low-carbon lifestyles and reduce carbon emissions, IOIPG integrates connectivity to transportation hubs in its signature developments.
For instance, provisions for bus stops are essential in its design process to provide sufficient support for a strong public transport infrastructure, with public transit services integrated into these developments. The 16 Sierra Mass Rapid Transit station is scheduled to commence operations in January 2023.
In Bandar Puteri Puchong, its latest transit-oriented development, Stellar Suites, is built only 50m away from the Bandar Puteri LRT station.
IOIPG has also provided covered pedestrian walkways and cycling pathways to enhance short-distance travel connectivity between neighbourhoods and lower the dependency on motorised vehicles, to help improve local air quality and reduce carbon footprint.
Traffic enhancement to improve traffic flow and enhance connectivity in Bandar Puteri Puchong commenced in 2016.
The traffic enhancements included the construction of a flyover from the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) to Lebuh Puteri to improve connectivity towards Bandar Puteri Puchong.
There was also construction of a 35m covered pedestrian bridge and walkway to improve accessibility for pedestrians travelling between Puchong Financial Corporate Centre and the Taman Perindustrian Puchong LRT station.
In April 2022, the Rio City Interchange was officially opened, completing the traffic enhancement of Bandar Puteri Puchong at a total cost of RM90mil, which was fully borne by IOIPG.
Amplifying impact on communities
During the Covid-19 pandemic, IOIPG played its part to help communities via a range of CSR efforts, via its ‘Think WE Not ME’ campaign.
The campaign – which supports business associates, tenants and communities in challenging times – includes contributions towards buying essential items for communities in need and Covid-19 rental relief assistance to support its tenants. To date, IOIPG has provided rental relief assistance totalling more than RM100mil.
Altogether, these efforts have been publicly acknowledged, as IOIPG’s leadership in supporting the community during the pandemic earned it the Community CSR Award in the iProperty Development Excellence Awards (iDEA) 2020.
The group also helped out during floods with contributions of essentials and cleaning the homes of flood victims, where beneficiaries across Semenyih, Dengkil and Sungai Kandis also received household items.
Besides that, a reading corner was set up in the community hall of Kampung Orang Asli Kuala Masai to inculcate reading habit among Orang Asli children and create awareness towards the importance of education on improving their quality of life.
IOIPG donated books, educational CDs and stationery for the 50 kids in the kampung. Digital devices such as desktops, laptops and projectors were also donated to expose them to information technology.
Nurturing tomorrow’s leaders
To nurture young leaders for the next generation to trigger a multiplier effect for a better world, IOIPG has granted scholarships through Yayasan TSLSC amounting to RM10mil.
Separately, to nurture young leaders for the next generation to trigger a multiplier effect for a better world, IOIPG contributed to universities, school buildings and facilities upgrades to ensure a conducive learning environment.
A few of the beneficiaries are Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuen Cheng High School, SJK (C) Shin Cheng and Xiamen University.
Its initiatives in education are not just limited to Malaysia, either. In Xiamen, China, IOIPG contributed RMB7.3mil to the building of a kindergarten, which is expected to benefit two surrounding residential communities with a population of approximately 20,000 residents.
Through Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng (Yayasan TSLSC), scholarships amounting to over RM10mil have been distributed to more than 300 students to date.
The scholarships have enabled high-calibre students to pursue full-time undergraduate studies.
A total of RM5mil was also contributed to the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Hospital Building Fund to enable clinical training for healthcare students.
All in all, IOIPG’s social initiatives are in line with the group’s vision to be a ‘Trusted’ brand, as it is committed to continuing its efforts to create thriving and sustainable communities.
