KTC, UPPM Iftar charity program at five constituencies
KOTA KINABALU: Kapayan assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang and her Likas counterpart Tan Lee Fatt were among those who attended the Kim Teck Cheong (KTC) Consolidated Berhad and the state Unit Pemimpin Pembangunan Masyarakat (UPPM) Iftar charity program at Masjid Nurul Hikmah in Bukit Padang here on Saturday.
The program which kicked off in Kalabakan on March 14, will see the state UPPM and KTC Consolidated Berhad visiting 25 districts in the state to break fast with the underprivileged groups.
Saturday’s iftar program involved the state constituencies of Likas, Luyang, Api Api, Kapayan and Moyog.
Jannie who was met at the program, said it was an important event as it provided the opportunity for the UPPMs and elected representatives to get together with the community.
“I hope this can be continued as it is a good platform for those who work with the community to get together. It is also to remind us that Ramadan is a month for us to give prayers and donations to the needy,” she said.
Tan expressed gratitude to the state UPPM for organising the Iftar and also to Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad Executive Director Datuk Dexter Lau for the company’s contribution towards the month-long program.
”Through this program the relationship between the state elected representatives and UPPM can be strengthened. They can therefore work closer together to assist the rakyat and understand the issues and problems they are facing,” he said.
Dexter told reporters that there are 17 areas more to conduct the program.
“We managed to combine five state constituencies today and the UPPM arranged the transportation for the orphans as well as the asnaf to the Iftar today.
“We must put aside whatever issues during this noble month, sit down together and take care of the needy. We want to ensure that no one is left out. We want them to know that there are those who care for them, one, the government and second the corporate bodies during this time,” he said.
KTC, Dexter pointed out, has always been active during Ramadan with different variety of contributions as a way of giving back to the community.
“Last year we donated bread to 73 areas and each area received 1,000 loaves of bread through the respective UPPM. I have dedicated my time this whole month to travel with the UPPM for this program. We go down to the ground together,” said Dexter.
This year, the company’s contribution is different, not only by working together on the iftar program, KTC is also treating children of underprivileged families to a shopping spree for the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
”The children get to choose their own outfits,” said Dexter.
During the Iftar program, Jannie and Tan presented contributions to the underprivileged from the five constituencies and students of the tahfiz school at the mosque.