THE Penang Covid-19 Fund today received yet another boost when Toray Group (Malaysia) and Boon Siew Honda contributed RM1 million and RM100,000 respectively, and Solarvest Holdings Berhad contributed 2,000 oximeters worth RM52,000.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow thanked them for their kind contribution at a time when the state government and the people are facing a challenging time.
“We’ve received some contributions since last year and all the money has progressively been spent on our fight against Covid. The contributions are in kind and cash.
“Some contributors connect directly with the Penang Hospital and the state Health Department to identify their needs and make a contribution directly to them or the respective health clinics.
“Contributions in kind also came to the state government and we collect them all and distribute to the hospital, clinics and sometimes to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which are doing related services to the community.
“We’re indeed very thankful for the kind contribution from the corporate sector and NGOs for assisting the state government in this difficult time.
“We all know that we are not out of the woods; we still face a high number of cases in Penang although we hope that things can return to normal as soon as possible,” Chow said in his speech.
Datuk Teh Hock Soon, the Toray chief representative in Malaysia cum Toray Industries (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director, said their contribution was to give something back to society.
“Given the ongoing surge in Covid-19 daily cases, our Group recognises the utmost importance of being responsive to the state’s immediate needs to provide more facilities with necessary medical equipment to meet public health demands at this critical time.
“We, as a responsible corporate citizen, would like to do what we can for the state with our contribution.
“Toray Group stands in solidarity with the people of Penang to mitigate the devastating impact of Covid-19.
“We believe that by rallying together and fighting this pandemic with courage, compassion and resilience, we can make a difference and help keep the local populace healthy and safe.
“I hope this small contribution will help the community to reduce the number of cases,” Teh said.
The Toray delegation included Toray deputy representative in Malaysia cum Penfire Sdn Bhd managing director Hiroaki Matsubara, Toray Plastics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Masahiro Nishizawa, Penfabric Sdn Bhd managing director Ho Soo Boon, Toray Systems Solution Sdn Bhd managing director Peter Chan Kien Wah, Penovate Sdn Bhd managing director Josephine Teoh Bee Sian, Toray Malaysia Human Resources and Administration executive director Gor Siew Yeng and Toray Malaysia corporate affairs senior consultant Datuk Han Keng Kuan.
For Boon Siew Honda, its chairman Datuk Seri Tan Hui Jing thanked the state government for their support since the company has been established in the state for almost 65 years.
“This is just a small token of our appreciation and part of our CSR (corporate social responsibility) programme to assist the Penang state. We hope that things will get better and we will continue to play our part in this beautiful state,” Tan said.
The Boon Siew Honda delegation comprised its managing director and chief executive office Yoshitaka Nakamura and chief sales and marketing officer Voon Yin Kong.
Solarvest Holdings chief executive officer Chong Chun Shiong said this was the second time his company had chipped in for the Penang Covid-19 Fund, having earlier made some financial contribution.
“We know oximeters are useful items during this Covid-19 pandemic. Our contribution is also part of our CSR,” Chong said.
Also present were state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Penang immediate past chairman Datuk Seri Ooi Eng Hock.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar