KUALA LUMPUR (April 1): The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has partnered with three crowdfunding platforms to raise funds for the country’s frontliners to protect themselves against the spread and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement today, MDEC said the participating crowdfunding platforms include Global Sadaqah, pitchIN, and SimplyGiving.

MDEC said the funds will be channelled to IMARET, a reliable and certified non-profit organisation that conforms to Majlis Keselamatan Negara No.20 (MKN 20) protocol to distribute items to hospitals and ‘Klinik Kesihatan’ nationwide.

It said these items include 200,000 units of personal protective equipment/intensive care unit suits (sterile protective coveralls); 2 million units of 3-ply face masks, 100,000 units of face visors, 20,000 units of space suits, food and general supplies as well as other types of required medical equipments.

MDEC’s Chief Executive Officer Surina Shukri said as the number of cases rises, so does the demand for medical gear and protective equipment.

“While they are generally referred to as frontliners, our medical and health professionals are actually the last line of defence to stop the spread of the virus and provide professional care for the infected to recover. We must do whatever we can to contribute and continue to support our medical and health professionals to save lives by supplying essential protective equipment that will enable them to protect themselves while carrying out their daily duties.

“This announcement is an extension of our #DigitalVsCovid Movement which is supported strongly by the Ministry of Multimedia and Communications Malaysia to continue to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the local community through various initiatives that can assist to lessen the socio-economic impact due to the spread of the virus,” she said.