Companies, NGO join forces to combat Covid-19

Companies and non-profit organisations have come together to assist the government in the fight against Covid-19.

Yayasan Sime Darby, the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby, has pledged RM4.4 million to address the immediate needs of individuals and communities impacted by the pandemic.

It said of the amount, RM3.5 million would be channelled to the Government-linked Companies and Governmentlinked Investment Companies Disaster Response Network (GDRN).

“(The fund is) to provide a streamlined support for medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators to hospitals, district health clinics and frontliners through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Pharmaniaga Bhd.

“Another RM577,840 is allocated to a partnership with MERCY Malaysia for the mobilisation cost of meals, logistics, accommodation, PPE, health screening sets, 140 medical volunteers, as well as for food, water and medical supplies for the frontliners,” the YSD said in a statement yesterday.

The YSD has also contributed RM195,000 to the University Malaya Medical Centre to purchase PPE, including gloves, disposable face shields and coverall suits for medical frontline workers.

In addition, RM12,160 worth of hand sanitisers will be distributed to members of the security forces at the Movement Control Order (MCO) checkpoints and police stations, with the help of the Malaysia International Search and Rescue.

On the corporate front, United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd has contributed RM500,000 through the Association of Banks in Malaysia to MERCY Malaysia’s 1 Covid-19 Pandemic Fund to provide healthcare workers with adequate critical medical equipment.

Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd, the property development arm of the Naza Group, today contributed RM300,000 to Tabung Khas Covid-19 initiated by the Selangor government, which was aimed at providing financial relief to those affected by Covid-19 in the state.

Halal fast-food chain Marrybrown has waived its franchise royalty fee for three months from March to May 2020 for its franchisees.

AEON Retail (Malaysia) is offering a 28- day rental waiver from March 18 to April 14, covering phase one and two of the MCO period. - Bernama