Petaling Jaya, 26 August 2021 – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) and its philanthropic arm, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), are providing 51 units of urgently needed ventilators to 12 general hospitals in the Klang Valley and Seremban. This will support the Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force (GKVSTF) following its appeal for assistance for the public health services in the country. SDP and YSD are contributing RM2.5 million each for the purchase of the ventilators as well as 5000 units of oximeters. Delivery of the ventilators has started since 20 August 2021 and is targeted to be completed by mid-September 2021.

This contribution to GKVSTF is the latest collaboration between SDP and YSD in COVID-19 related initiatives. In fact, SDP has donated 50%, or approximately RM10 million, of the funds used by YSD in their COVID-19 emergency relief work amounting to over RM20 million since 2020. Additionally, SDP has hosted a drive-through vaccination centre for the disabled community and their caregivers at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya. The Company also recently launched a campaign to provide food aid and essential items to those in need. Through the campaign, SDP also offers job opportunities which come with free housing to attract locals who are looking for an employment reset that will allow them to stabilise their lives and livelihoods. YSD has been an instrumental programme partner in ensuring the success of all these initiatives.

"As a responsible corporate citizen, we stepped up to offer help and support at this time of great need. We are doing our best to ensure that our communities and employees are protected as we traverse these uncharted waters together," said Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, SDP's Group Managing Director.

GKVSTF, led by the Ministry of Health Deputy Director General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong, was formed in July 2021 to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the Greater Klang Valley area, which includes Selangor, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan. The general hospitals that will be receiving the ventilators are Hospital Ampang, Hospital Kajang, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Selayang, Hospital Serdang, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM and Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar in Seremban.

"Hospitals in the Greater Klang Valley have been stretched over the last several months, with more cases than there are beds, critical equipment and staff. We stepped up because these contributions from SDP and YSD can save lives," Mohamad Helmy said. "It is important that we do our best where we can to support our public health services and the national recovery effort."

Since March 2020, and in addition to its donation to YSD's COVID-19 emergency relief fund, SDP has contributed over RM7 million towards COVID-19 related CSR initiatives. The amount comprises contributions and initiatives to support the vaccination drive as well as provide aid and assistance to communities and hospitals in SDP's three major countries of operations – Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. To date, SDP has set up three industrial vaccination centres (PPVIN) for plantation workers in the states of Sarawak and Selangor in Malaysia and is looking to open up more centres in other states in the country.

"As our largest donor, Sime Darby Plantation is responsible for YSD's ability to do good work for our society. On top of that, they also take it upon themselves to do even more to help the nation during these unprecedented times. YSD is certainly pleased to once again be partnering with Sime Darby Plantation, and this time in supporting the Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force where the need is especially crucial in addressing the nation's fight against COVID-19," said Dr Hjh. Yatela Zainal Abidin, YSD's Chief Executive Officer.