Seremban 2’s leading property developer uplifts families in need this festive season, reflecting its 30-year legacy of care and community
As the Festival of Lights approaches, IJM Land Seremban 2 once again demonstrates its commitment to community welfare through its annual Deepavali Charity Cheer Programme, extending financial aid and festive essentials to six underprivileged families in Seremban. Now in its eighth year, the initiative provided each family with an angpow of RM1,000 and groceries worth RM600, offering much-needed support to help them celebrate Deepavali with dignity and joy.
This year’s programme carries added meaning as it aligns with Seremban 2’s 30th anniversary theme of “30 Years of Connecting Lives, Shaping Futures”. While the Deepavali Charity Cheer Programme has long been a cornerstone initiative for IJM Land Seremban 2, this milestone year underscores the developer’s enduring commitment to fostering community bonds.
Datuk Chai Kian Soon, Chief Operating Officer of IJM Land Berhad, highlighted that the programme carries even greater meaning in this anniversary year, as it reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to “Bringing Life to Ordinary Spaces”.
“Deepavali symbolises hope and renewal, but for families facing hardship, its joy can often feel out of reach. Through this initiative, we want them to know they are not alone — that their community stands beside them,” said Datuk Chai.
“As we mark Seremban 2’s 30th anniversary, this programme is especially meaningful, reminding us that our true achievement over the past three decades lies not just in building homes, but in nurturing a community that cares for and supports one another.”
Among this year’s beneficiaries is 46-year-old Madam Hemamalini a/p Mariaatan, who works part-time as a school bookstore assistant with a monthly income of RM600. She supplements this by taking occasional cleaning jobs at RM20 per hour. Her husband, Jejadesh a/l Superma, has been unable to work since a stroke four years ago left the right side of his body impaired. The family now relies on RM300 in monthly welfare aid and MyKasih assistance. With two young children — 10-year-old Marvinn and 7-year-old Thurgashinya, both pupils at SJK(T) Convent — they struggle with essential expenses, including transport and school-related costs.
The programme also supported 28-year-old Madam Rathnewari a/p Ramesh, who works as a cleaner at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar with a monthly income of RM1,700. Despite her efforts, most of her earnings go towards household expenses and motorcycle repayments for the vehicle she relies on for work. Four years ago, she lost her first husband in a tragic accident. Today, she is raising her two young daughters — Jayanesan, 8 and Jayesyalini, 7 — with the support of her second husband, Sarandraj a/l Darjan, who earns RM50 to RM70 a day from odd jobs while seeking permanent employment. However, an accident that left him with a leg injury has made securing stable work a challenge. The family receives BR1M and monthly MyKasih assistance; both children have received the ‘Bantuan Awal Persekolahan’ of RM150 each, while only the elder daughter currently qualifies for the RMT (Supplementary Food Programme) as the younger is still awaiting approval. Despite financial hardship and the challenges of raising school-going children, Rathnewari remains determined to provide her daughters with stability and opportunities for a brighter future.
“As a prominent community builder, our responsibility goes beyond constructing homes and townships – it extends to building lives and fostering bonds of care,” concluded Datuk Chai.
“This programme reflects our belief that strong communities uplift one another, particularly during festive seasons. Through our support, we hope to inspire others to embrace this spirit of giving and make the celebration more meaningful for everyone.”
