by ANIS HAZIM / Pic by TMR FILE PIX

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) staff have raised almost RM1.28 million over the span of eight days to help those most impacted by the Covid19 pandemic in Peninsular Malaysia, especially the bottom 40% (B40) income group.

TNB in a statement yesterday said more than 11,000 of its staff have made voluntary salary deductions which are used to fund the Tabung Warga TNB Prihatin (WTP) since its launch on June 9, which will be distributed to the recipients soon.

“TNB’s top management and presidents of its unions and associations have mutually agreed to set up the fund as a channel for TNB staff to collectively make voluntary donations,” it said.

TNB president and CEO Datuk Ir Baharin Din said his staff have made voluntary contributions to Tabung WTP through deduction of their June and July salaries in slightly over one week since the campaign started.

Baharin was confident that the amount will continue to increase until the campaign ends on July 15.

He added that the utility company will match every ringgit donated by its staff so that the fund will benefit more people.

“Having grown up in a challenging urban environment, I truly understand the difficulties faced by those who have lost their income or job due to the current economic condition.

“I believe my colleagues in TNB are equally concerned about their plight.”

The Tabung WTP will be disbursed either via online banking or directly handed over to the recipients, subject to the National Security Council’s standard operating procedures.

“The recipients are selected from the B40 group comprising the disabled and those listed under eKasih, JKM (Department of Social Welfare) and PPRT (Hardcore Poor Housing Programme) under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, State Zakat centres, as well as staff feedback,” TNB said.

Apart from Tabung WTP, TNB has extended various assistance to over 10,000 people from the B40 group with an allocation of almost RM9.5 million since early this year.

The funds were used for rebuilding and repairing houses, buying food supplies and basic necessities, and providing pocket money.