Doing their bit for a good cause

Chow (with yellow mask) writing down the amount raised on a mock cheque at the event. Looking on (from left) are Eng Bin, Ooi, Jimmy and several state exco members.

A TOTAL of RM1.428mil was raised through the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang branch and OCBC Bank charity drive which started in July last year.

As of Jan 8 this year, RM1.1mil was successfully raised.

The amount was increased further to RM1.428mil after 11 photos were sold in a charity auction during the FMM-OCBC Charity Night at Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang recently.

In his speech, FMM Penang chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong said over 30 Penang-based charity organisations and initiatives had benefited from this fundraising effort involving over 40 donors. “The local charity organisations received RM20,000 each.

“Other beneficiaries include Penang Future Foundation, Penang Lawan Covid-19 and Tabung TYT, which each received RM100,000.

“Penang government also received 100 new laptops worth RM196,000, which were distributed to deserving students.

“A total of 500,000 face masks were donated by ViTrox Technologies Sdn Bhd to the state government to be given out, ” he said.

He added that industry players were concerned about the current Covid-19 situation in the country with the recent spike in positive cases.

“FMM supports the government’s action to institute stricter control to reduce the rate of infection and break the chain.

“Breaking the chain of infection is of utmost importance. There must be a concerted effort by both the public and private sectors.

“However, it should not involve a second round of a total lockdown, ” he said.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said FMM Penang has always been a close partner of the state.

“We have worked hand-in-hand for more than five decades for the betterment of the industries, especially in the manufacturing sector which have made substantial contributions to Penang’s economic growth.

“Penang may not have natural resources like some of her neighbouring states, but we have skilled workforce and talents.

“These talents are great pull factors for investors, ” he said.

Chow added that the people have to embrace the new normal as life will never be the same after Covid-19.

“The way businesses are being run will have to change.

“The pandemic has put a halt to traditional business systems and heightened the pace of digitalisation.

“The state government will continue to facilitate digitalisation through infrastructure, relevant platforms and policies, ” Chow said.

OCBC Bank (M) Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Ong Eng Bin said Covid-19 has brought out the best in people through new challenges.

He said the funds raised would greatly help the charity bodies in this trying period.

State local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who was present, reminded the people to be vigilant in the war against Covid-19. “As a government, we have to be responsible, frank and truthful.

“We have to give due attention to public health while maintaining economic balance, ” he said.

FMM Penang immediate past chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ooi Eng Hock urged governments to provide more scholarships for underprivileged students.

“I believe that education is the way out of poverty, ” he said.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, state exco members Yeoh Soon Hin, Soon Lip Chee, Zairil Khir Johari, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and OCBC Bank Penang branch senior manager Chea Hak Tee.