Betong, Sarawak – The Sarawak Trade Union Affairs Department (JHEKS) in collaboration with CUEPACS Sarawak has successfully implemented the 2025 Community Service Program (CSR) themed “Unifying the Community, Instilling Service” on 4 and 5 July 2025. This program was held around the Betong area, involving the active participation of the local community from Kampung Melayu Passa and Rumah Panjang Passa Nanga, as well as union members from across the state.
The program began with a Love Basket Handover Ceremony held at the Entrance Hall, UG Level, State Office Complex, Betong. The ceremony was officiated by Tuan Haji Mohd Asri bin Abdul Wahab, Director General of the Malaysian Trades Union. A total of 56 recipients from the local community received the love basket donations, consisting of senior citizens, single mothers and low-income families. This assistance is part of JHEKS’s efforts to channel concern to the community in need.
In the evening, spiritual content was also provided through religious talks delivered by representatives of the Betong Islamic Religious Office, which aimed to instill moral values ​​and build spiritual well-being among the community in attendance.
The program continued the next day, 5 July 2025, with the first gotong royong activity held simultaneously at Kampung Melayu Passa and Rumah Panjang Passa Nanga. This activity was officiated by YBhg. Dato’ Ahmad Nadzri bin Mohd Hassan, Federal Secretary of Sarawak, who also went to the field with the participants. Local residents and participants worked together to clean the village area, improve basic facilities, and participate in traditional cooking activities such as ayam pansuh and pais ikan buntal, which are the unique culinary heritage of the Sarawakian community.
The program was made more meaningful with a visit to the longhouse, where program participants were welcomed with warmth and traditional customs by the Passa Nanga Longhouse community. This interaction not only fostered cultural understanding, but also strengthened social ties between various levels of society.
The main objective of this program is to strengthen the relationship between the trade union and the local community, channel direct welfare assistance, and encourage the participation of union members in community activities. It also aims to instill a spirit of mutual cooperation, caring and unity among the multi-racial community.
Overall, the JHEKS Sarawak 2025 CSR Program has had a very positive impact. Apart from easing the burden on the needy community, it has also succeeded in forming a close bond between civil servants, union members and the rural community. This program proves that social responsibility is a shared responsibility, and unions not only fight for workers’ rights, but also actively contribute to the social development of the country.
JHEKS Sarawak would like to express its deepest appreciation to all parties who made this program a success, especially the Betong community who welcomed the participants with a high sense of belonging. It is hoped that CSR programs like this can be continued and expanded to other areas to build an inclusive, caring and united society.
