The initiative was an effort made to elevate the difficulties faced by the local traders and hawkers

by NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK / pic credit: gasmalaysia.com

MMC Group Bhd member Gas Malaysia Bhd has donated essential household groceries to about 500 affected traders and hawkers at the Pusat Penjaja Dataran Bukit Antarabangsa, Pantai Dalam.

Gas Malaysia group CEO Ahmad Hashimi Abdul Manap (picture; left) said the group subscribes to the view that a successful business is built on a strong foundation that serves towards the betterment of society as a responsible corporate entity, namely the less fortunate.

“We sincerely hope that with this timely contribution, to a certain extent, will help elevate the difficulties faced by the affected traders and hawkers as a result of the adverse impact brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said at the contribution event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He added that the group will emphasise on ensuring that the group’s development is done in a sustainable manner.

“Given our extensive reach throughout Peninsular Malaysia, we will continue to remain mindful of the need to balance our social responsibilities by providing for the needy.

“This activity is a continuation of our efforts to assist the needy especially during the pandemic,” he said.

The household grocery items that were distributed included rice, cooking oil, sugar, canned sardines, biscuits and noodles, among others for each of the recipients.

The affected recipients were represented by Yang di-Pertua Persatuan Penjaja-Penjaja dan Peniaga-Peniaga Kecil Melayu Wilayah Persekutuan Datuk Mohamad Abdullah.

The initiative was in collaboration with Pusat Pungutan Zakat-Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (PPZ-MAIWP) and MAIWP.

PPZ-MAIWP CEO Abdul Hakim Amir Osman said the group was appointed by MAIWP to collect zakat in the Federal Territories.

“Meanwhile, the distribution is made by MAIWP itself in which this initiative is an additional contribution to help those who were affected during Covid-19 pandemic.

“Hence, we urge more people to pay zakat at PPZ-MAIWP so that we can help more of those in need,” he said.

Previously, Gas Malaysia has conducted similar initiatives, including the donation of household groceries to approximately 200 recipients within the B40 household category living in Kota Kemuning and Petaling Jaya, as well as contributing medical equipment to three hospitals to aid frontliners in treating Covid-19 patients.

Ahmad Hashimi said that the group is looking to extend its contributions.

“Moving forward, we are planning to extend our contribution to a wider pool of beneficiaries, especially during these trying times,” he added.