by AZALEA AZUAR / pic by BERNAMA

THE Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) has announced three more initiatives under its #MDEC4Good campaign to help local communities who have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among them is the Food Bank Campaign — which would provide food aid to more than 300 families — which have been identified through MDEC’s partnership with Exabytes.

The recipients include 255 Orang Asli families at Desa Temuan, Bukit Lanjan; 17 families at Kampung Selayang and 35 families across the Klang Valley where the food aids would be delivered through Exabytes, MyKampung Fresh Mart and a team of MDEC volunteers.

Secondly, the Digital Enablement initiative aims to help students with financial issues get laptops and learning tools.

MDEC managed to provide 250 students from nurseries, primary and secondary schools with laptops integrated with 20 e-learning links provided in the browsers as bookmarks.

This is done in partnership with Rentwise and SNS Network.

Lastly, powered by Urban Farm Tech Sdn Bhd, MDEC’s Digital AgTech programme would improve the livelihood of the many within the Desa Temuan Orang Asli community as they begin its urban farming pilot project.

The project is set to complete by September and it would implement IR 4.0 technologies such as automated control system of critical parameters, multipurpose sensor hub, data-driven mobile app/ platform and many more.

The AgTech programme will train 50 participants.

According to MDEC CEO Surina Shukri (picture), the Covid-19 pandemic is not only a health crisis but it has also impacted the livelihood of many.

“Although the crisis is global, the impact is deeply local, especially on the most vulnerable members of our communities.

“More than ever, now is the time that we need to look out for each other,” she said in a statement yesterday.

The #MDEC4Good campaign also provided financial aid to 21 visually impaired people living primarily in the Klang Valley as well as extending it to Pertubuhan Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Shan Dai Selangor.

“We all have a part to play in supporting our most-needy communities in these hard times.

“Through our #MDEC4Good campaign, we at MDEC are providing practical support, tools and training required for communities affected to survive this pandemic,” Surina said.

She hoped that everyone would look after each other and together, we are able to build a resilient nation.

MDEC has been fully committed to step-up their corporate social responsibility initiatives through its #MDEC4Good campaign since many have been affected by the pandemic.

Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Kampung, Keselamatan Orang Asli chairman Mohd Nizar Mohd Shahbi expressed his gratitude for the aid provided by MDEC and its partners.

“In a time of difficulty, these provisions and digital support provided through the #MDEC4Good programme will go far in helping our community and families to brace through the pandemic,” he said.

Key elements of the #MDEC4Good programme are being delivered in collaboration with local technology solutions providers Exabytes, Rentwise and SNS Network who are members of MDEC’s Gain programme.