For close to 2 years, Malaysia has been on edge combating the pandemic. There was a collective tension in the air as the daily cases rose and fell throughout that duration. Festive celebrations had no choice but to give way to social isolation and attention fatigue.
But 2022 seems to bring new hope. As Chinese New Year (CNY) approaches, Chinese Malaysians are gearing up to celebrate and spend time with family and friends. With all that happened in 2021, Malaysia, especially the communities in need are in desperate need of some warmth, blessing and togetherness. Here, we highlight 8 organisations spreading their cheer and goodwill this Chinese New Year.
#1: Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair
National Artistes’ Welfare Foundation (YKAT) marks CNY 2022 by lending a helping hand to needy artists of all races. YKAT has had the habit of giving back with “sharing and caring” activities targeting artists aged 60 and above.
Chinese New Year is around the corner, and it is an all-Malaysian celebration. YKAT believes in sharing the festive season’s joy with Malaysian artists regardless of ethnic background. – Datuk DJ Dave, chairman of YKAT[1]
The pandemic had stopped YKAT from organizing home visits, instead, beneficiaries will see monetary contributions banked directly to their saving accounts. A total of 15 veteran artists will be receiving RM1,000 each as a token of appreciation for their services in Malaysia’s entertainment industry.
Many of them have been hard hit by the pandemic, and we are doing our best to alleviate their financial burdens. It is our commitment to helping all artists facing difficulties. – Datuk Nash, YKAT trustee[1]
#2: Sunway Malls
Last week, Sunway Malls launched its unifying theme of ‘100 blessings’ across all 7 of its shopping avenues to mark the beginning of CNY.
For the past year, the Covid-19 pandemic and year-end floods have disrupted the lives of many families. In many ways, the adoption (of Chinese character ‘fu’) represents our collective hope as well as our well-wishes that the Year of the Tiger will be filled with an abundance of blessings for all. – HC Chan, CEO of Sunway Malls and Theme Parks[2]
As a part of giving back, Sunway Velocity Mall is collaborating with The Lost Food Project to distribute RM30,000 worth of food and necessities prepared by the mall’s outlet. 100 families are expected to benefit from this charity drive[2].
Other malls also follow suit with their respective initiatives: Sunway Giza Mall will place a food bank in front of Village Grocer to benefit the underprivileged in Kota Damansara area. Sunway Carnival Mall, in collaboration with the PgCare Alliance, has directed a portion of its festive budget to the underprivileged Penangites affected by the Covid-19 pandemic[2].
#3: Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia
This year’s CNY is made more meaningful for a group of underprivileged families in Sarawak thanks to the effort of the Social Welfare Department (JKM). A total of 100 families stood to receive hamper donations from the department under the Sejambak Kasih programme[3].
The hamper, worth RM80, consists of essential items such as rice, cooking oil, eggs, and other daily necessities. The attendees of the event are just the tip of the iceberg of the beneficiaries of the Sejambak Kasih programme. A total of 6,106 eligible individuals across Sarawak had received similar contributions including 2,814 families in Kuching[3]. An additional RM100 cash handout is also awarded.
JKM is looking to collaborate with more NGOs to channel assistance to the needy. The Sejambak Kasih programme is not limited to Chinese recipients but to all races in the state.
We will hold a special programme like this for Aidilfitri, Christmas, Hari Gawai and Deepavali. This (collaboration with NGOs) can further benefit the recipients because the value of the contribution they receive will be greater. – Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Minister[3]
#4: Sports Toto
Charitable deeds are not limited to government bodies and foundations. Through CSR efforts, private companies have contributed significantly, too. Sports Toto first started their annual CNY Ang Pow Donation campaign back in 1988. This year, Sports Toto marks their 35th annual campaign with a five-day charitable donation to benefit more than 4,700 senior citizens[4].
A total of 123 old folks’ homes would receive a cash donation ranging from RM2,500 to RM10,000. Depending on the number of residents, the elderlies will also receive shopping vouchers worth RM1,500 to RM5,000 to aid the purchase of daily necessities.
In 2021, the country had undergone a series of lockdowns. Many had lost their jobs, struggling to put bread on the table. However, we as responsible corporate citizens want to continue to take care of the people in our society. – Nerine Tan, executive director of Sports Toto[4]
Since its inception, the CNY donation campaign has contributed over RM23 million worth of ang pows and hampers to more than 418,000 senior citizens nationwide[4]. This is a part of Sports Toto’s Helping Hand CSR programme.
#5: Mr DIY
Mr DIY greets CNY with a heartwarming short film ‘Family’ about three adopted brothers of different races and their journey back home to celebrate CNY with their adopted mother. It is part of the “You Share, We Donate” that will see Mr DIY donate RM1 for every “share” the video gain on Facebook.
As of this writing, the video has gained 605 thousand views and more than 600 reshares. At the end of the CNY celebration, Mr DIY will sum up the total shares and channel the donation to orphanage homes so that the children, too, can celebrate a prosperous new year.
In their previous campaign, which coincides with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the tear-jerking short film ‘Kerana Azman’ garnered 7 million views and 2,780 reshares[5]. The donation amounting to RM2,780 was channelled to the Malaysian Federation of Deaf, fitting with the message of the film.
#6: Shan De Charity Home
CNY is celebrated early with the underserved community in Ipoh, Perak as they receive dry goods, groceries, and ang pow from Shan De Charity Home. The recipient consists of those from an impoverished family, senior citizens, people with disability (PwD), and single mothers.
With Chinese New Year approaching, people will need to spend on necessities. We are always prepared to help the poor and underprivileged. – Foong Chee Seng, chairperson of Shan De Community Home[6]
Some of the recipients faced mobility issues as they cannot be present at Shan De’s centre in Menglembu. The charity group arranged delivery to make sure the aid reaches the recipient’s doorstep. In the recent flood, Shan De also donated some 650 food packs to victims at Bentong, Pahang and Sungai Kelamah, Negeri Sembilan[6].
#7: Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Some 200 underprivileged families in north Seberang Prai, Penang received boxes of foodstuff packed to the top consisting of rice, sugar, biscuit, coffee, Milo, canned food, and beehoon[7]. The food boxes were packed and sponsored by the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) as part of their CNY festive gifts giving.
To observe the SOP, the items were delivered to the recipients’ doorstep by members of PCCC’s Young Entrepreneur Section in a fleet of 30 cars shuttling around the community. PCCC has been running such an event for ten years, with this being the second time held on the mainland.
This is something which is good and must be followed. The youths have started taking responsibility in helping one another through CSR… In the long run, more people will subscribe to the idea of giving away food and other items in boxes. – Phee Boon Poh, Penang Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman[7]
#8: Magnum
Under their corporate social responsibility arm MagnumCares, the lottery company aims to reach 230 welfare homes nationwide in giving aid to needy senior citizens and orphans. MagnumCares has in place RM730,000 worth of ang pow, sponsorship support, and meaningful festive gifts[8].
Recently, the MagnumCares team paid a visit to old folks’ homes in Mentakab and Temerloh, Pahang where they handed out goodies and ang pows to 40 residents. A RM3,000 cheque was presented to Rumah Kebajikan Warga Emas Wanita Mulia in Triang[8].
We can never know the situation or the circumstances the needy are facing until we go on the ground and put ourselves in their shoes. We are committed to helping our fellow Malaysians in times of need. – Lim See Chin, Magnum Selangor/East Coast Regional Operations Manager[8]
Apart from monetary handouts, the team also aided in refurnishing the welfare homes by repairing or replacing faulty essential items. This also resulted in building a therapy room for disabled children and a learning area for the welfare home.
Explore Our Sources:
- Chua, D. (2022). #Showbiz: YKAT contributes RM15k to veteran artistes to mark CNY 2022. News Straits Times. Link.
- Lim, R. (2022). Spreading good fortune, blessings. The Star. Link.
- Wong, C.E. (2022). Fatimah brings CNY cheer to underprivileged. New Sarawak Tribune. Link.
- The Sun Daily. (2022). Sports Toto kick-starts 35th CNY Ang Pow Donation Campaign. The Sun Daily. Link.
- Mr. DIY. (2021). MR.DIY Third “You Share, We Donate”. Link.
- The Star. (2022). Food aid, ang pow for 100 needy folk. The Star. Link.
- Sharma, M.S. (2022). Boxes filled with new year cheer for the less fortunate. The Star. Link.
- The Star. (2022). Committed to spreading kindness for the new year. The Star. Link.
