IJM Land marks milestone with completion of rehabilitated homes
IJM Land Bhd proudly commemorates the 15th anniversary of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative – 'MyHome' programme – with the successful completion and handover of two newly rehabilitated homes, in Seremban, Negri Sembilan and in Sandakan, Sabah.
One was built for Wong See Kong, an 82-year-old father residing in Sandakan with his two unmarried children.
The other was for Chan Ngan Chong, a 61-year-old man with a family of four, whose old home in Kampung Baru Batu 8, Labu, was fully rebuilt and handed over in Seremban.
Initiated in 2010, IJM Land's My Home programme was initiated to uplift underprivileged and disadvantaged households across Malaysia. Over the span of 15 years, this initiative has significantly impacted 23 families.
Restoring hope in Seremban
Before the renovation, the original house was in a dire state of disrepair – deemed uninhabitable and teetering on the brink of collapse within a year.
The family was surviving on a minimal income, forced to live in unsafe conditions marked by severe termite damage, a broken and unusable kitchen, and just one functional bedroom for Chan's family of four.
At the age of 61, Chan faced more than just structural challenges. A debilitating stroke three years prior had left him unemployed and dependent on his wife, who had to leave her job as a dish cleaner to become his full-time caregiver.
Chan's home in Seremban was once in a heartbreaking state of disrepair (above). But after a thoughtful renovation (below), it now offers his family a fresh and hopeful new beginning.
The family faced mounting financial pressures, including over RM4,000 in unpaid electricity bills –an amount that IJM Land stepped in to clear.
In the spirit of making a meaningful difference, the IJM Land MyHome Programme brought renewed hope and a fresh start to the lives of Chan, and his wife, Puniamah, 60.
Due to the severe condition of the house, IJM Land and its partners undertook a complete rebuild in addition to enhancing the surrounding spaces. The new home included:
> Three bedrooms (expanded from the original two-bedroom layout)
> A toilet and bathroom
> A functional kitchen, and an extended living and dining area
The extensive improvements have brought meaningful change to their lives, offering comfort, security for their family and a renewed sense of peace within their living space.
IJM Land further supported them by providing essential furniture and electrical appliances to furnish their new home.
A home reborn in Sandakan
Before the intervention, the family faced numerous challenges living in a dilapidated single-storey house.
The home had a leaking roof, unstable kitchen structures, mouldy ceilings, exposed electrical wiring, and no access to clean water. Hygiene and safety were significant concerns, especially for Wong's advanced age.
Living on a modest income of RM1,500 a month, earned by his 53-year-old daughter working at a grocery store, the family struggled to maintain their home.
Through the MyHome Programme, IJM Land and its partners completed extensive repairs and renovations including:
> Reconstructing the kitchen with safe, durable materials
> Replacing mouldy ceilings and repainting interiors and exteriors
> Installing a proper water supply system and a new metal stove
> Upgrading unsafe electrical wiring
> Applying concrete flooring and cleaning the house interior
> Installing a secure fence and gate for improved safety
Today, the house stands as a safe, clean, and dignified space for Wong and his family. The improvements have greatly enhanced their standard of living, rendering the home more secure for the elderly and far more comfortable for their daily needs.
Rebuilding lives across Malaysia
"The MyHome Programme is more than a CSR initiative – it's our way of giving back to the communities that have helped us grow,' said IJM Land chief operating officer Datuk Chai Kian Soon.
'At IJM Land, we believe that making a real difference starts with understanding what families truly need — a safe, secure place to call home.
'Through the MyHome Programme, we focus on doing what we know best: building and restoring homes, one family at a time.
'Over the past 15 years, we've had the privilege of helping more than 20 families rebuild their lives, and with the support of our partners, we hope to continue reaching more communities in the places we call home,' he added.
The programme, which began in Seremban 2, continues to serve as a model for community upliftment across all the regions that IJM Land operates in, including Northern Penang, Central region, Southern Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak.
By engaging subcontractors, suppliers, and local partners, IJM Land fosters a collaborative effort to provide conducive living spaces that uphold dignity and enhance the quality of life for families.
'As we continue to scale up the programme, our goal is to ensure that more Malaysian families can live, play, and study in homes that are not just safe – but truly nurturing,' added Chai.
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