KUALA LUMPUR: Corporations aiming to be competitive must shift their focus from mere financial gains and take into consideration the welfare of their employees and the local community, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Deputy Prime Minister said they must shed the perception that corporate social responsibility (CSR) would hinder competitiveness and ability to achieve their long term targets.

“CSR programmes play an important role in changing the nation’s socio-economic structure. This in turn can guarantee a corporate body’s ability to be in business for a long time.

“It is therefore important for the corporate sector to integrate CSR in their development plans because the community is a crucial factor in the nation’s growth but also that of corporate entities,” he said at the presentation of the Prime Minister’s CSR Awards 2011.

The Deputy Prime Minister said while the Government has set a target for the country to emerge as a high-income developed nation by 2020, it has also taken steps to ensure the well-being of the rakyat, particularly in lessening the burden of high cost of living.

He said between 2010 and July last year, the Government had spent RM36.7bil, distributing it as cash, food and petrol subsidies as well as other assistance under the e-Kasih programme.

GE Malaysia emerged as the overall winner of the Prime Minister’s CSR Award 2011 and also bagged two other awards – best CSR practices at workplace and empowerment of women.

ECM Libra Financial Group won the Prime Minister’s CSR Award under education, Kulim (M) Berhad (environment), Maybank (culture and heritage) Iris Corporation Berhad (community and social welfare), small company CSR (Vista Eye Specialist) and IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd won the family-friendly workplace category.

GE Malaysia human resource director Sugunah Verumandy described the win as a “wonderful surprise” as this was the first time her company had submitted entries for the award. She said it was an honour for her company to win the awards, adding that this would further encourage GE to engage in more CSR activities.

She said the company provided training and development programmes for the staff as well as promote healthy lifestyles for them and their families.

“It is an honour for us and this will further encourage GE to engage in more CSR activities,” said Sugunah.

From: The Star Newspaper
Date: 23 October 2013
By: Mazwiin Nik Anis