This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 24, 2020
• RM15.55 million raised over the weekend
• RM8.3 million to buy medical equipment
• RM7.25 million to assist healthcare workers who are infected by Covid-19 in the line of duty
KUALA LUMPUR: The Edge Media Group is rallying Corporate Malaysia to make monetary contributions to support the fight against the Covid-19 health crisis.
As the country’s medical facilities and healthcare workers are under a lot of stress, The Edge hopes Corporate Malaysia and the larger business community will rally around them by contributing to either or both of the following funds:
1) The Edge Covid-19 Equipment Fund: Money will be used to buy medical equipment like protective suits, masks and ventilators.
2) The Edge Covid-19 Health Care Workers Support Fund: Money will be used to give financial assistance to healthcare workers who are infected while caring for Covid-19 patients.
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, in lauding the initiative, thanked those who have come forward to donate and urged others to help out despite the challenging business environment caused by Covid-19.
"The economic problems we face can be solved faster once the health crisis is contained, so that businesses can reopen and people can go back to work and lead normal lives,” he said. “Whatever help the corporate world and individual business people can provide to our hospital staff, doctors and nurses is much appreciated.”
Explaining the need for two different funds, The Edge Media Group publisher and chief executive officer Datuk Ho Kay Tat said:
“The first line of defence in the fight against Covid-19 in our hospitals is manned by doctors and nurses and Fund 1 will be used to help equip them to do their job well and that they are safe. They can’t be cutting plastic bags to use as protection suits and masks. Of course, it is inevitable some will be infected by the virus, and that’s when Fund 2 kicks in to provide financial assistance to them. We must show our healthcare workers that while we can’t be with them, they are not alone.”
Ho said that within two days after it decided to launch the initiative, RM15.55 million was raised.
“We have received commitments of RM8.3 million for The Edge Covid-19 Equipment Fund and RM7.25 million for The Edge Covid-19 Health Care Workers Support Fund,” said Ho.
“We thank those who have come forward so quickly and hope others will also support this initiative. Now is the time for all Malaysians to come together and Corporate Malaysia has an important role to play.”
Among those who have made pledges (see the donor list) is the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), which is giving RM1 million to each of the funds or a total of RM2 million.
ACCCIM president Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap said:
“It is time for all Malaysians to stay united. The government and people’s shared responsibility and cooperation are crucial to effectively combat Covid-19. We urge Malaysians to have full faith in the government, and pledge our full support to the front-line medical personnel and healthcare workers for their big sacrifices and dedication in fighting the virus.”
Both funds will be administered by The Edge.
Ho said the funds will be managed transparently with contributions and expenditures fully accounted for. An external auditor will be appointed to audit the accounts of both funds and the accounts will be presented to all donors.
He added that given the urgency, with the help of various parties, an order for 6,000 protective suits and 500,000 face masks was made yesterday with plans for more once their availability is confirmed.
“We are also sourcing for ventilators and hope to confirm the order soon,” he said. “Every country is looking for ventilators and other medical equipment as the number of cases is rising. We have to move fast to secure what we can. Please come forward to donate.”
For enquiries, please email [email protected] or call 03-7721 8192.