• Sunway’s #SunwayforGood initiatives go beyond corporate responsibility, addressing systemic inequalities through long-term, impact-driven programmes in education, healthcare, and community enrichment.

• By fostering cross-sector partnerships and embedding volunteerism into its culture, Sunway champions inclusive, sustainable growth to uplift marginalised communities and create lasting social impact.

Across the world, vulnerable and marginalised communities continue to face economic disparities, social inequalities and limited resources as well as opportunities. The effects of poverty extend beyond the personal experience of the individual or family itself, it impacts society as a whole and hampers overall economic growth.  

The United Nations calls for governments and corporations across the world to implement stronger social protection systems by improving access to education, health care, food security and economic opportunities; central to breaking the vicious circle of inequality and deprivation.  

For Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, this is the heart of our corporate strategy and social responsibility. 

“We firmly believe that no corporation can stand apart from the communities it serves. That is why most of our CSR projects are focused on helping the marginalised and, often, the forgotten sectors of society.” 

This conviction has guided Sunway through a wide range of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives under the #SunwayforGood umbrella, addressing inequality at its roots, while anchored on three key pillars: Education, Healthcare and Community Enrichment. 

A Hunger for Change 

At the 2024 Sunway Meal Pack-a-thon, which marks 10 years since Sunway’s partnership with Rise Against Hunger began, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah highlighted a concerning statistic, 

In Malaysia, more than 20 per cent of children below five years old are either stunted or undernourished, according to UNICEF.”  

This is a humbling statistic for a nation that seeks to join the ranks of developed and high-income countries. If Malaysia is to achieve its ambitious goals, we must start by making sure no child goes hungry. 

Key milestones: 

• Sunway’s cumulative total surpassed two million meals packed since 2014. 
• The 2024 Sunway Pack-a-thon saw 1,200 volunteers pack 500,000 meals in Southeast Asia’s largest single-day meal-packing event. 
• In addition, over 8,300 beneficiaries are able to enjoy two nutritionally dense meals per day for an entire month, including Orang Asal families and refugees.  
• Since the initiative began in 2014, more than 30,000 volunteer hours have been clocked in through this initiative under the #SunwayforGood CSR umbrella. 

Healthcare Without Borders

In the dense green depths of Borneo, People Living with HIV (PLHIV) are compounded by a trifecta of challenges: scarce clinics, expensive treatments, and HIV stigma. 

To broaden our scope and advocacy in helping marginalised communities, we entered a long-term partnership with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) to revolutionise remote access to healthcare with practicality and compassion. With RM1 million in annual funding, the MAF-Sunway Health Outreach for Everyone (HOPE) Borneo Project removes barriers to treatment by providing second-line antiretroviral therapies and travel subsidies for low-income patients. 

Key milestones: 

In 2024,  

• 1,000 beneficiaries received critical support through Sunway HOPE. 
• The Red Ribbon Gala 2024 raised a record RM2.8 million, the highest ever in the gala’s 15-year history. 
• Sunway’s involvement as the Title Sponsor in the Red Ribbon Gala has equipped nearly 100 low-income beneficiaries with a year’s supply of life-saving second-line antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. 

Transforming Urban Communities

Sunway is also embarking on a long-term and multi-pronged project to address urban poverty and other quality of life issues through the Sunway Desa Mentari Community Development Programme (SDMCDP). In this research-driven programme, we aim to address the disparity of Desa Mentari, a low-cost housing area just two kilometres away from the affluent Sunway City Kuala Lumpur. 

Guided by insights from a baseline study conducted with Sunway University,  a series of  programmes was developed to address the community’s most pressing needs. Key initiatives include:  

• Urban Farming Workshops – Led by Sunway XFarms, equipping residents with the skills to grow their own food, promoting self-reliance and food security. 
• Back 2 School Programme – Providing 1,200 children with school supplies and uniforms to ensure they return to the classroom with confidence. 
• Healthcare Outreach – Bringing essential health screenings and preventive care to underserved residents. 
• Kafe Kak Ecah – Sunway University students collaborate with local entrepreneurs to rebrand the café, boosting the business’s visibility and supporting local economic growth. 

A pilot community observatory will facilitate real-time tracking and continuous refinement of interventions, ensuring measurable and impactful interventions aligned with SDG 3 targets on combating communicable diseases. 

With plans for a community learning hub, vocational training, and healthcare support, this initiative empowers Desa Mentari residents to drive their own progress. Additionally, it provides policymakers with valuable insights into creating sustainable living environments aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). 

Collaborations That Drive Impact 

Sunway recognises that meaningful progress for society requires collaboration. By working alongside non-profits, government agencies, and cross-industry partners, we enhance the effectiveness and reach of our CSR programmes. Our key partnerships include: 

• Prasarana and Subang Jaya City Council – Our partnership in the Sunway-Rapid KL Good Run raised RM430,000 to benefit five charitable organisations for a good cause, demonstrating the power of collective action in driving social impact. 
• Selangor Youth Community (SAY) – We have impacted more than 300,000 lives since 2017 through various initiatives aimed at empowering marginalised communities. 
• National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) – Conducted health screenings for 50 Orang Asal communities as well as the underserved segments of society nationwide, enabling early detection and intervention. for chronic illnesses, supporting long-term well-being, healthcare access and economic stability for underserved populations. 
• Friends to Mankind – Through the Sunway READ programme, we are bridging educational gaps and fostering nationwide development. We have already surpassed our goal of establishing 50 libraries by 2024 and will continue to uplift communities through education.A Culture of Volunteerism 

CSR has always been part of Sunway’s DNA, with our CSR success driven by the dedication of our staff, whose volunteerism embodies our commitment to social responsibility. 

To ensure long-term continuity in our CSR strategies, we introduced a Volunteerism Guideline in November 2024. This guideline embeds community engagement within our organisation, encouraging employees to align their passions with corporate sustainability goals and advance the 17 UN-SDGs. 

For many of our people, volunteering has become a deeply personal way to forge meaningful connections and rediscover purpose beyond their daily roles, while reinforcing Sunway’s commitment to sustainable and impactful growth.

Key Volunteerism Highlights:

• Employees are encouraged to contribute up to 16 hours annually to CSR initiatives. 
• Replacement leave is provided upon prior approval. 
• Certificates of appreciation may be awarded to outstanding and committed volunteers. 

By aligning personal passions, staff well-being, and corporate sustainability, Sunway transforms CSR into a shared mission that benefits individuals and communities alike. Our dedication goes beyond corporate responsibility – it is about creating lasting change where it matters most. Through meaningful collaborations across various sectors of society, we strive to uplift communities, open doors to opportunities, and build a future where no one is left behind.