PETALING JAYA: A multiracial and multi-faith group of NGOs is organising an online charity concert to raise funds for medical equipment and other critical hospital supplies, as well as help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Malaysia Solidarity Covid-19 Fund, which was initially spearheaded by Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, has now received support from 20 other groups representing various faiths including Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism as well as a number of community service non-governmental organisations.
Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia representative Yeo Kar Peng said the group saw the need to start an emergency donation drive in May to buy medical equipment that was critically needed by public hospitals and medical frontliners.
"We responded to their direct appeals and sourced the required equipment after consulting them.
"To date, we have raised over RM25mil, the bulk of which was utilised for the purchase of medical equipment and supplies we distributed to 38 hospitals nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak," she told a virtual press conference on Wednesday (Sept 1).
Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Rev Julian Leow Beng Kim, who was also present, said it was truly heartening to see various faith community leaders as well as those from civil society coming together to help medical frontliners and vulnerable communities.
"Many faith-based organisations and individuals were already doing their part in reaching out generously to help the poor affected by the pandemic.
"However, when I heard about Tzu Chi's appeal for funding to assist our healthcare frontliners and hospitals, we decided that (by) coming together as Malaysians from all faiths, we can do it much more effectively," he said.
Allied Coordinating Council of Islamic NGOs (Accin) chief executive officer Mohd Jamaludin Mohamed said all parties involved in the Malaysian Solidarity Fund are enthusiastic about helping one another.
"This has brought faith communities much closer together, and saying we can work on this together," he added.
Although the pandemic brought a great threat to the community, it has also given the opportunity to demonstrate unity in diversity that can benefit all communities in the country, said Mohd Jamaludin.
The virtual charity concert for the Malaysia Solidarity Covid-19 Fund will be held on Sept 11, from 8pm to 11pm on the various groups' social media sites.
Among the celebrities scheduled to perform are Sean Ghazi, Baby Shima, Vince Chong, Janet Leong, Dasha Logan, Taiwanese singers Ray Lin and Charis, Mark Adams from the Philippines and many more.
Donations can be made at https://www.tzuchi.my/en and are eligible for income tax deduction purposes.
