Friday 29 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 26, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR : The two brothers of the Shamsuddin family, Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin and Datuk Shahriman Shamsuddin of Sapura Holdings Sdn Bhd, have come forward to donate RM1 million to help fight the Covid-19 health crisis.

They gave RM750,000 to The Edge Covid-19 Equipment Fund and RM250,000 to The Edge Covid-19 Health Workers Support Fund.

“We are touched by the effort, tenacity and undivided commitment of the heroic frontliners in combating this new phenomenon,” they said. “Thank you for all that you do.”

Two other companies, Westports Holdings Bhd and Taliworks Corp Bhd, also gave RM1 million each.

Others who did so yesterday were Batu Kawan Bhd (RM250,000), Datin Mina Cheah-Foong (RM250,000) and KPMG Malaysia (RM150,000).

“It is the right thing for us to do,” says KPMG managing partner Datuk Johan Idris. KPMG also offered free service to audit the two accounts that will be presented to all donors.

Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, managing director of InNature Bhd, says many people want to contribute, by working with The Edge and it can be done in one collective and focused action. She chose the equipment fund because “if I were sick, I would want healthy and properly equipped people and hospitals to look after me”.

Another donor is Perdana ParkCity Sdn Bhd, which had on Monday committed RM1 million.

“It is heart-warming to see Corporate Malaysia coming together to contribute,” says its group chief executive officer Datuk Joseph Lau. “Our prayers and utmost gratitude are with the frontline [personnel] and with each and every one who has come forth to assist.”

Another RM1 million donor is Dialog Group Bhd.

“It is heartening to see the captains of Corporate Malaysia coming forward to contribute towards the fight against Covid-19,” says Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat, executive chairman of Dialog. “It is important that those who are in a position to contribute take action in this time of crisis to help support our overstressed medical facilities and healthcare workers. The sooner we all come together to do our little bit, the faster we will overcome this pandemic”.

The total amount raised now stands at RM19.2 million, of which RM11.3 million is for The Edge Covid-19 Equipment Fund, while RM7.9 million is for The Edge Covid-19 Health Care Workers Support Fund.

“We are appreciative of how Corporate Malaysia has responded and hope more will do their part,” says The Edge Media publisher Datuk Ho Kay Tat. “We have also been receiving contributions from individuals and are in the midst of compiling them. We welcome any sum that people want to donate to help our frontline health services and workers.”

Ho added that orders have been placed for personal protection suits, oxygen concentrators and ventilators.

He thanked home improvement retailer Mr DIY for helping to source for protection suits and masks from China through their networks there and Datuk Dr Tamil Selvam, who is coordinating the purchases of medical equipment.

A more complete update will be published in The Edge weekly.

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