AMPANG, SELANGOR, NOV 1 – The Community Chest, an independent apolitical non-ideological charitable organization set up by the private sector to focus on education, today donates up to RM38.3 million to 196 schools in Malaysia.
Prime Minister Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak today presented mock cheques to 78 of the 196 recipient schools which are located around Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan, in a ceremony held at SJK(C) On Pong, Ampang, who is also one of the beneficiaries of the charity’s philanthropic initiatives.
In addition to the funds’ donation to the recipient schools, the Honourable Prime Minister also launched The Community Chest’s website, www.commchest.org.my at the event.
Founded by a group of prominent contributors led by some of Malaysia’s most successful and distinguished entrepreneurs, The Community Chest was launched on 26th September, 2011 to promote and support education for the sole benefit of the Malaysian community. It focuses on funding learning institutions in Malaysia which are not-for-profit and which require financial assistance due to insufficient funding and/or aid from the community or the Government, and can provide scholarships to help exceptional and financially needy Malaysian students gain access to quality education.
The Community Chest can also fund initiatives designed to transform and improve the quality of education of learning institutions in Malaysia and the quality of these learning institutions.
The Community Chest is managed by a Board of Trustees, comprising community leaders such as Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Tun Mohammed Hanif bin Omar, Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, Tan Sri William Cheng, Tan Sri Dato’ Chua Ma Yu, Tan Sri Datuk G. Gnanalingam, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Lee Lam Thye, and Tan Sri Leonard Linggi Jugah.
Tun Mohammed Hanif bin Omar, Honorary Trustee of The Community Chest, said the charitable organization has been swift in meeting the plight of many schools nationwide with its funds’ aid programme.
“In total, The Community Chest” has approved a total allocation of up to RM100.2 million for 302 Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKCs), Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKTs) and Missionary Schools throughout Malaysia since our launching last year,” said Tun Hanif.
In the past year since September 26, The Community Chest has rolled out three batches of funds’ aid to needy schools throughout Malaysia. “Batch 1”, which was announced at launch last year, saw a total RM26.1 million allocated to assist 61 schools throughout the country. In April this year, a further RM35.8 million of allocation was approved under its “Batch 2” programme for 45 schools and over the past three weeks, an additional RM38.3 million of approved allocation to 196 schools has been issued under “Batch 3” programme, of which 78 schools from within Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan were presented with their mock cheque by Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib.
In addition to providing donations to over 300 schools throughout Malaysia, The Community Chest has also managed to keep its operating expenses low, incurring only a few hundred thousand Ringgits within the past year. “This, I believe, is a huge feat for any charitable organizations that have spent so little and yet have done much and continues to do more,” said Tun Hanif.
“In the past year, our volunteers have worked tirelessly, getting their hands dirty on the ground, dealing not only with school officials, but also with contractors and participated in project tenders to ensure that broken roofs and tiles are replaced, termite problems solved, toilets repaired and existing old buildings are safe and sound for the school children, as well as built new buildings and ancillary facilities such as covered walkways, science labs, bilik kemahiran hidup (life-skill room) and etc. for the benefit of the school children.
Apart from repair, restoration and building works on physical infrastructure at the schools, The Community Chest has also taken a step further by partnering with Dell Malaysia to provide equipment such as desktops, printers, visualisers and projectors, to kick-start its e-classroom initiative. Launched last month, the pioneer initiative had equipped 6 schools with the necessary IT hardware to enhance teaching and learning in schools. More schools are being equipped as part of “Batch 2” programme and more under “Batch 3” programme.
On the launch of The Community Chest’s English and Chinese website www.commchest.org.my Tun Hanif said the online portal was in line with the charitable organization’s vision of transforming and improving the quality of education by leveraging on the use of technology.
“We believe the launching of the new website in English and Chinese is in line with our vision, of transforming and improving the quality of education by leveraging on the use of technology. With “The Community Chest” website, we hope to reach out to as many schools, volunteers and generous donors as possible. We hope to receive support, whether in the form of financial contributions through online donations, or volunteering to work with us. Together, let’s help the local community and to encourage others, whether corporations or individuals, to do the same, for the greater benefits and welfare for schools in the community!
About The Community Chest
The Community Chest has been established as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (Company Number 952008-A). It is an independent apolitical non-ideological charitable organization set up by the private sector to promote and support education solely for the benefit of the Malaysian community.
As reflected in its tagline “Community in our heart, Education at our fore,” The Community Chest believes that education creates opportunity, shapes individuals and ultimately, the well-being of the community.
For details on its charter, the funding application guidelines and how to donate to The Community Chest, please log onto www.commchest.org.my or send your enquiry by fax to +603-2333 3939 or email to enquiries@commchest-2022.ob4p1u7gbo-xlm418gkk3dy.p.temp-site.link.