Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin receiving mock cheques from delegates of Tropicana (L) and Top Glove (R).
3 July, PETALING JAYA – In support of the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Tropicana Corporation Berhad (Tropicana) together with Top Glove Corporation Bhd (Top Glove) announced today a donation of RM1.5 million and RM300,000 respectively, worth of medical equipment and supplies namely ventilators, ultrasound machines and medical suits to the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). This initiative was facilitated by the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Charity Golf (TSMCG) Foundation which helped to disseminate these supplies to the hospitals and health departments identified by the MOH for the use of frontline professionals.
Among the hospitals and health departments specified by the MOH, included Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Institut Kanser Negara (National Cancer Institute), Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Hospital Ampang, Hospital Selayang, Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Kajang, Health Department of Selangor (JKN Selangor), Health Department of Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (JKNKL & Putrajaya), Health Department of Negeri Sembilan (JKNNS), Health Department of Melaka (JKN Melaka), Health Department of Johor (JKN Johor) and MOH’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC).
The medical equipment and supplies were donated through TSMCG Foundation to support the country’s ongoing battle against COVID-19. According to the MOH, as of July 3, there were nearly 8,648 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia.
On hand to present the mock cheques to Malaysia’s Prime Minister and also founder of TSMCG, YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, were Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Chee Sing who is the Group Executive Vice Chairman of Tropicana as well as Tan Sri Dr. Lim Wee Chai who is the Chairman of Tropicana, Executive Chairman and Founder of Top Glove.
“In response to MOH’s call for the donation of more personal protective equipment to be used by frontline personnel treating COVID-19 patients, Tropicana and Top Glove joined forces to source from various suppliers to contribute these much-needed items. Some of these items have been used by hospitals since March 2020,” stated Tan Sri Dato’ Tan Chee Sing. “Our hearts go out to all the medical professionals on the front lines who are working tirelessly to get us all through this crisis. That is why we need to unite and do whatever it takes to help our country overcome these challenging times. Each and every one has a responsibility to do our part to stop COVID-19 from spreading further. On our side, Tropicana will continue to support our government’s efforts in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and address community needs.”
“Our nation is going through unprecedented times,” said Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai. “Our front liners are coping with a large number of patients on a daily basis and as businesses, we must step up and do all we can to ensure their safety as well as that of the patients. In the battle against this pandemic, every piece of medical equipment is critical to their safety. This contribution is our way of serving our country in times of need. My company Top Glove, will also continue to work safely, healthily and efficiently to ensure production of our life-saving medical gloves continues without interruption.”
Prior to this initiative, Tropicana had donated 200,000 pieces of face masks to the Selangor State Government for distribution to frontline personnel and extended rental waivers to applicable tenants at its newly-opened Tropicana Gardens Mall throughout the length of the Movement Control Order. The rental waivers were initiated to not only ease tenants’ burdens, but to also allow them to provide further assistance to their employees. The mall first opened for business in early March 2020.
Meanwhile, Top Glove also committed to donating 3 million pieces of medical gloves worth RM700,000 to Malaysian hospitals, various government ministries, the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian charity organisations as well as RM100,000 to Tzu Chi Foundation Kuala Lumpur. In January 2020, Top Glove donated 3 million pieces of gloves to China and has earmarked RM5 million for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which includes assisting those affected by the pandemic.
Medical suits are vital in reducing infection risks faced by frontline health personnel. Meanwhile ventilators are essential for patients in critical condition and ultrasound machines are used to evaluate the medical conditions of infected patients. The specifications for the donated medical equipment and supplies were carefully coordinated with the MOH to ensure they met necessary standards and addressed the most urgent shortages.