Yayasan Petronas hands out Christmas gift packs to underprivileged, poor in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Yayasan Petronas is giving gifts to orphans, the poor and the underprivileged in Sabah and Labuan in the run-up to Christmas under its Sentuhan Kasih programme.

The foundation started its Christmas gifting week on Dec 16 in the Kota Marudu district before moving on to Kudat, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Penampang, Pitas, Beaufort and Ranau, as well as Labuan.

Head of Petronas Sabah and Labuan Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab said that under this initiative, recipients ranged from those living in welfare homes to the hardcore poor.

“The distribution kicked off in Kota Marudu on Dec 16 where the foundation distributed care packs with Christmas gifts comprising items such as a forehead thermometer, pulse oximeter, hand sanitisers, Covid-19 self-test kits and food items to the St Theresa Hostel,” she said.

“It concluded on Thursday (Dec 23) with the distribution of care packs at the Ranau District Welfare Department, attended by nominated assemblyman Datuk Amisah Yassin,” added Siti.

Amisah was representing state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is also the Karanaan assemblyman.

Siti said this contribution, worth a total of RM481,897, involved B40 families and recipients from various orphanages, old folks homes and welfare centres.

She said it was a continuation of Petronas’ nationwide tradition of reaching out to the community during major festive seasons such as Chinese New Year, Aidilfitri, Kaamatan, Gawai, Deepavali and Christmas.

“At the same time, it also aims to nurture and enhance the spirit of giving and volunteerism among our employees, and provide them with a platform to interact and engage with the people of various communities,” she added.

In Sabah, the contribution reached five welfare homes, namely Taman Didikan Kanak-Kanak Kurang Upaya (Kudat), Pusat Jagaan St Theresa Hostel (Kota Marudu), Tolumis Care Centre (Tuaran), Taman Didikan Kanak-Kanak Kurang Upaya (Kota Kinabalu), and Caring for the Future Malaysia Children Home (Papar).

A total of 742 recipients from the B40 or hardcore poor category in Penampang, Pitas, Beaufort, and Ranau as well as 120 beneficiaries in Labuan also received gift packs.