Corporate Social Responsibility

The Board of Directors acknowledge that under the current operating environment Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an important aspect of the business framework. In Malaysia, the Bursa Malaysia has also launched a sustainability programme which encompasses CSR as a key pillar of the sustainability framework. It has also been advocated that CSR should not only be limited to philanthropy and community activities but is an extended social policy that promotes environmental safe practices, a conducive workplace for employees, and a mutually benefiting community.

The Corporate Social Responsibilities activities are mainly carried out through the operating subsidiaries in view that these subsidiaries carry the brand names and are continuously in contact with the stakeholders in their respecting operating roles. They have undertaken the following activities during the year in various forms in support of the market place, the environment and the employees.

The Work Place

The Group undertakes activities aimed at maintaining high standards in the skills, experience and well-being of its employees. Programmes have been put in place to continuously enhance and enable employees to better themselves in the respective work places and indirectly be good members of the family units and the community as a whole.

The companies provide in-house canteens, sport centres and rest areas. They also organize activities such as fishing competition, futsal, badminton and indoor games. The sports club also undertakes many sporting events throughout the year.

The holding company has put in place a scholarship and educational assistance program that provides full scholarship or financial assistance for eligible children of the employees of the Group. Up until this moment, the scheme has assisted five (5) full scholarship students in pursuing their education overseas and 27 students with financial support in local universities pursuing degree level studies.

Not putting aside our religious obligations, Northport organises a "Majlis Khatam Al-Quran dan Berkhatan" for the children of Northport employees. This event has now become an annual affair in the company.

The Community

Kontena Nasional and Northport either organize or join in support of various community activities to assist and to contribute to the events held during the year.

One event of significance was Kontena Nasional providing transportation where it was a part of a convoy to deliver 10,000 mattresses to flood victims in Kedah and Perlis. Northport on the other hand, was one of the sponsors for the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) Relay for Life program.

Kontena Nasional staff took part in "gotong-royong" activities at Darul Tahfiz Ummul Qura, Klang. The company donated hampers, mattresses and stationery supplies to students during the event. Under a special initiative Northport's surau organized a program that provides the participants knowledge on Islamic funeral rites.

The holding company is a strong supporter of the PNB led Hari Q and "Minggu Saham Amanah Malaysia" (MSAM). The latter is an annual event carried out in different states of Malaysia.

Other community projects also included Kontena Nasional providing financial support for one of its staff whose house was destroyed in a fire and the presentation of cheque to support a local day care for handicapped children.

The Environment

The operating subsidiaries constantly take account of the impact to the environment resulting from their operation. The health and safety officers in the companies are constantly in the watch on waste matters being released into the drains and sea, the noise pollution that can eminate from the running of the machinery and equipment. Northport has a waste management plant that treats sludge and oil before being released into the environment.

Relationship with Market Place

The companies believe that good relationships can be fostered through sports and other leisure activity after working hours. In this respect, Northport organized a Futsal Tournament as one such event. It also similarly organized a badminton tournament.

Kontena Nasional had during the year collaborated as the logistics partner with Jerlun district in its inaugural Adventure Kayak Race (AKAR). It also held its annual Hari Raya open house for its clients and associates and during this event "duit raya" were given to orphans from five charity homes.

The Group believe that events like this assists in creating and maintaining a mutually conducive working relationship with all stakeholders.

Conclusion

The Group will continue to identify and undertake more such related events to ensure that its image as a good corporate citizen is sustained. The Board takes pleasure in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility in any way and would contribute to preserving the values of society and the environment.