THE Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Penang branch (FMM Penang) and OCBC Bank are jointly organising a power talk and a charity event to alleviate the plight of charitable organisations and the needy.
FMM Penang Chairman Datuk Dr Ooi Eng Hock said it was the organisers’ aim to help and support the needy during this difficult period.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has not only disrupted public health but also the economy. Many industries are affected.
“In addition to that, the organisations that rely on public donations are also severely affected.
“These have prompted us to organise the power talk and charity event to help raise funds for the needy,” he said during an interview at OCBC Premier Bank recently.
Dr Ooi said the power talk and charity event are by invitation only.
Organising chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong said the FMM-OCBC Power Talk 2020 would be held from 5pm to 7pm at Level Five of the E&O Hotel in Farquhar Street on Oct 24.
He said this would be followed by the charity dinner at E&O Heritage Wing Grand Ballroom from 7.30pm to 10.15pm.
The power talk, themed ‘Managing your business during Covid-19 times: Lessons and opportunities in supply chain management for Penang’, will be moderated by OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Ong Eng Bin.
“We have invited five panellists to take part in the power talk.
“They are Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Ministry of Health director general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Top Glove Corporation Berhad founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai, KPMG Malaysia managing partner Datuk Johan Idris and ViTrox Corporation Berhad chief executive officer Chu Jenn Weng.
“We expect about 150 people to attend the power talk.
“We hope to livestream the power talk so that more people can view the event,” he said.
Dr Ooi said that power talk would provide useful leads from leaders of the industry.
“We are able to learn how these companies overcome challenges during the Covid-19 crisis. The prominent speakers will also be discussing the economic outlook in the face of Covid-19,” Dr Ooi said.
After the power talk, Dr Ooi said the invited guests would proceed to the charity event.
“About 20 photos or portraits of iconic leaders will be sold to the highest bidders during the charity dinner.
“The amount raised from the sales of photos and portraits will be channelled to the needy.
“We plan to donate to 15 charity homes, frontliners,Penang Future Foundation, Penang Lawan Covid-19 and the Tabung TYT.
“We hope to raise RM500,000 from the charity event,” Dr Ooi said.
Dr Ooi also hoped that the event could inspire other organisations to support the needy community.
Buletin Mutiara is among the proud partners of the event.
OCBC Bank Penang Branch senior manager Chea Hak Tee said the bank was delighted to jointly organise the meaningful event with FMM Penang.
“We do our best to help the community via our corporate social responsibility programmes. We focus more on education and children,” he said.
Story and pix by Christopher Tan