This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 16, 2018

The team representing the world’s largest manufacturer of rubber gloves, Top Glove Corp Bhd, hopes for increased participation from corporate Malaysia in The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2018 in order to raise more funds and expand the list of beneficiaries.

Executive director Lim Cheong Guan said more contributions can be channelled into the underprivileged when a lot more people work together.

“I look forward to more organisations joining such events and increasing contributions to help the beneficiaries,” he said.

The Rat Race is an excellent opportunity for companies to support a good cause together with fellow corporates, he added, and to network with organisations that share the same values.

Lim, who has been running in the race for a few years now, said he is motivated to take part because the event had been consistent in contributing to good causes across the country.

“I hope my participation also motivates my peers and colleagues,” he said.

Top Glove is a regular participant of the Rat Race. Its senior manager of human resources Lim Jin Feng came in 12th in the Men’s Individual open last year. He hopes to remain in the top 20 this year.

“This is the second time I am participating in the Rat Race and I hope to do better than I did last year,” said manufacturing manager Muhammad Nazmeer.

To prepare for the challenging Padang Merbok course, engineering technician Mohamad Shafiq said he is maintaining his health and stamina by sticking to a healthy diet, getting enough rest and using long slow distance training.

“It uses a constant pace of low to moderate intensity over an extended distance or duration, perfect for a 5km run,” he said.

In keeping with the objective of The Edge Education Foundation, Top Glove’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes emphasise educational causes, which include scholarships, providing educational aid to schools and donations in cash and kind to non-governmental organisations and other charitable organisations.

Lim said a good CSR programme does not only constitute donations and sponsorships and that corporate Malaysia should also look into spending time and effort with the needy to make a difference.

“Being present makes the experience more meaningful for both parties,” he said.