Date Posted: 27 Jan 2010

SEMPORNA: ASTRO employees left an impressive mark in the east coast of Sabah as they embarked on a community project in Mabul Island and Semporna for the last two weekends.

The community project was carried under the ASTRO KASIH corporate social responsibility programme initiated by ASTRO employees with an aim to enrich the lives of the communities ASTRO serves and to lead in the sustainable development of the environment.

For the programme in Semporna last Saturday, over 40 employees volunteered to build a school canteen and a 50-metre covered walkway as well as handing over books and educational supplies for the students.

For the work in the famed Mabul Island, the employees underwent a coral planting programme on Jan 15 as part of the island’s larger coral conservation exercise.

The coral planting in the island is arguably the first of its kind being undertaken by a private corporation as ASTRO wants to promote the conservation of Malaysia’s beautiful environment.

At SK Kg Sungai Tuhok, located about 30 km from Semporna, the visitors received a rousing welcome with both sides of the road lined up by flag-waving children.

The school has 502 students, with 42 teachers, said the Parent Teacher Association chairman Aris Sani Maaf.

The employees also presented the school-children with books and educational supplies. There was also a mobile ASTRO KAMPUS on wheels parked at the school compound to bring global classroom to the students.

This led Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, the Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Semporna MP, to praise the good works of ASTRO employees for taking an active role in fulfilling its corporate responsibility.

He noted the trouble taken by ASTRO personnel from all over the country to descend on the village which is far and remote.

“They had come all the way from Kuala Lumpur and had to take two planes to reach the village, notwithstanding the journey by road.

“It is commendable to see such aspiration and display of hard work among all the employees towards organizing this initiative, and for this I commend ASTRO for placing great care and emphasis on its role within the community,” he said.

On ASTRO KAMPUS programme, he described it as a noble step which would be remembered by the students in the years to come for opening up their minds.

The minister took time off to witness the community project led by its CEO Datuk Rohana Rozhan who later presented a cheque for RM50,000 from the proceeds of Akademi Fantasia towards the Semporna Parlimentary Service Centre Fund.

The proceeds will be used to support activities that will further benefit the community in the constituency.

In reply to the minister’s speech, Rohana said, “We at ASTRO believe it is our privilege to have the opportunity to take personal ownership towards making a difference with the communities we serve. ASTRO KASIH provides us the platform to do so.”

All ASTRO employees are encouraged to participate in at least two community projects in a year. To date, a total of 10 community programmes have been implemented last year, surrounding causes close and dear to ASTRO such as educational initiatives for the less privileged, healthcare for the poor and the environment.

The KAMPUS ASTRO, which was launched in 2009, was to enable 10,000 schools nationwide to take up ASTRO learning path by bringing global classroom content.

According to Rohana, the emphasis is on schools in far-flung areas which have no access to TV.

“By virtue of ASTRO satellite TV technology, we can enable the students to experience the content,” she said, asserting that the company’s involvement of its personnel on the ground is very important.

Another key initiative of ASTRO is ASTRO Stadium which is to encourage children to participate in everything, especially to promote healthy living and lifestyle.

Rohana told the media that that ASTRO is here to make a difference.

Meanwhile at Kampung Sungai Tuhok, celebrities of Akademi Fantasia fame like Stacy, Bob and Candy rendered a repertoire of local favourites to the delight of the crowd who responded enthusiastically.

(Source: New Sabah Times, 26 Jan 2010)