Johor Port Authority (JPA) has pioneered a unique Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) model through integrating Islamic philosophy, via Wakalah Zakat, called LPJ CARES. This holistic approach, which stands for Corporate Social Responsibility, Adoption, Restoration of Environment, Education and Social Development, is tailored to the socio-cultural context of Malaysia and serves as a replicable blueprint for ports globally.
Between 2024–2025, JPA invested RM2.5 million in a leadership-driven strategy that aligns port operations with community well-being. Senior management led the integration of sustainability, zakat governance, and social impact, aligning LPJ CARES with the national Malaysia MADANI policy and UN SDGs, positioning ports as ethical agents for change.
This is being achieved through a variety of activities underpinned by 3 key focus areas: Integration of zakat with port operations and outreach; community adoption and targeted capacity building; and climate action combined with youth education.
Built on deep partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders, LPJ CARES has successfully :
- Planted 25,000 mangrove trees between 2023-2024 through its joint mangrove and youth technical programme;
- Supported 430 students through its back-to-school programme;
- Aided over 2,000 flood victims by distributing essentials and clearing flood waste;
- Sponsored over 2,000 students through a tuition programme;
- Supported the completion of 50 community infrastructure projects;
- Allocated RM270,000 to sponsor 25 apprentices in the two-year Port Equipment
Technician Apprentice (PETech) programme - Launched RATU entrepreneurship programme empowering women and promoting economic independence through food skills training and income opportunities.
Overall, the project has supported over 20,000 individuals, successfully extending JPA’s impact while creating a shared vision for sustainable and inclusive port-community integration.