JCI Padawan prioritises community, eco-based projects for 2020

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Johnny (front right) recites his oath before immediate past-president Yap, witnessed by (from left) Sie, William, Teoh and Teo.

KUCHING: The Padawan chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI) strives to continue its flagship clean water project this year, focusing on the rural areas.

The just-inaugurated president for the 2020 term, Johnny Bong , says this segment has always been the chapters mission, aligned with one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations (UN).

“JCI Padawans Clean Water Movement is inspired by SDG Number 6, which is Clean Water and Sanitation.

“We understand that Sarawak is a very big state, where not everyone gets to enjoy clean water. For our clean water project, we will be collaborating with Rural Impact Social Enterprise (RISE), which is known for its mission of reaching out to the rural people in Sarawak,” he said in his speech at the Installation of Local President and Induction of New Members of JCI Padawan for 2020 Term at Waterfront Hotel here on Saturday night.

SWS Capital Bhd managing director and EE-Lian Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd founder/managing director Datuk Teoh Han Chuan was the guest-of honour at the event.

JCI Malaysia national executive vice-president Thomas Teo, as well as JCI Padawans past presidents Sie Ying Kiing (2017), William Bong (2018) and Yap Kuoh Haw (2019) were also present.

The event also hosted key representatives of JCI chapters from Singapore and Indonesia.

Adding on, Johnny said for this term, JCI Padawan would also focus on Responsible Consumption and Production, listed as SDG Number 12 by the UN.

“This project is themed Responsible Plastic-er, where the aim is to reduce plastic usage in Sarawak by 50 per cent and more. This project would be run in phases, starting with replacing plastic straws with biodegradable option, like straws made from rice.

“Moreover, we encourage all consumers to use recycled bags at the supermarkets. Many of our neighbouring countries such as Thailand have already banned plastic bags at supermarkets — we Sarawakian can also do this,” he said.

Later at the event, Johnny announced the partnership between JCI Padawan and EE-Lian Enterprise — known for its Elianware range of durable plastic containers — for their Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB)-Bring Your Own Container (BYOC) campaign.

“In this regard, Datuk Teoh would sponsor 10,000 Elianware water bottles slated for the BYOB-BYOC campaign. We encourage more people to bring their own water bottles, and we know that Elianware bottles are of high quality, very durable and last very long,” said Johnny.

Meanwhile, Johnny is now leading JCI Padawans committee for the 2020 term, comprising general legal counsel Lau Siaw Lin, secretary-general Kristaine Melia Alexander, honorary treasurer Liu Choon Hein as well as the vice-presidents: Vincent Tang (business), Yeo Tze Hui (individual), Mohd Sahrul Haziq Sarbini (international), and Rachel Justin Janggi (community).

The commission directors are Christabelle Winona Chimon, Almanda Bunut Sabang, Dick Chan Jun and Lok Wai Cheng.