Corporate social responsibility
The Better Malaysia Foundation (BMF) is a subsidiary of the corporate social responsibility program developed by Berjaya. The Chairman of Berjaya, Vincent Tan is also the chairman of BMF.[10]
In 2013, in partnership with SOLS 24/7, BMF launched Project 100 aimed at establishing 100 community centres where Malaysians would be able to have access to free education.[11]
In 2016, the foundation donated RM1 million to over 39 charities including a RM 50,000 donation to the Generasiku Sayang Negri Selangor organisation, and the Malaysian Sikh Union, which received RM35,000.[12] Tan also donated RM 25.6 million to the BMF via the Berjaya CSR program, earmarked for education and skills training, as well as community-based projects.[13]
In 2017, the BMF donated RM500,000 to victims of the Penang flood.[14]
Each year, the foundation presents the Better Malaysia Foundation Personality of the Year Award. Past winners include Madenjit Singh, founder of Science of Life Studies 24/7 in 2012,[15] Jane Goodall in 2014,[16] and Dharma Master Cheng Yen for humanitarian work in Malaysia through the Tzu Chi Foundation.[17]
Another corporate social responsibility program initiated by Berjaya is Berjaya Cares Foundation, the official charitable arm of the corporation that focuses in empowering individuals and communities in many differing aspects.[18]
Some of the critics include the Berjaya Hospitality Industry, which owns renowned brands like Berjaya Hotels, Jollibean and Joybean, is under scrutiny for alleged practices compromising animal welfare and food safety. Leading this charge is UK-based Equitas, launching a campaign to inform Berjaya customers of these concerns.[19] Of particular concern is Berjaya's continued use of battery cage eggs, a practice criticized worldwide for its cruelty and food safety risks including in the Directive 1999/74/EC, as hens endure deplorable conditions, feces accumulate near the eggs, and deceased hens often decompose near those still laying eggs for human consumption. Amid a global shift towards more humane practices in the hospitality industry, Berjaya faces increasing pressure to adopt a timeline for exclusively using cage-free eggs in all its operations.
