Astute Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya locals may have noticed an impressive convoy of BMW sedans and sport activity vehicles frequently cruising the streets twice weekly since the start of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and brushed it off as automotive upkeep. Unbeknownst to them however, the fleet of luxury cars were on a noble mission to deliver food supplies to the needy. For over nine weeks since the start of the Movement Control Order (MCO), volunteers from BMW Group Malaysia, in collaboration with dealers Quill Automobiles and Ingress Auto, have provided logistical support to four local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Klang Valley, delivering food and essential groceries to B40 families, refugees and migrant communities.
These four NGOs – Tenaganita, Refuge for the Refugees, Life Rakya Demokratik and Dapur Jalanan KL – have used the supplies to reach affected families to over 900 locations across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, even during the extended MCO and the Conditional Movement Control Order phases. With the recent announcement of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period, the luxury carmaker has similarly declared the beginning of the next phase of its multi-partnerships with the aforementioned NGOs in efforts to aid more underprivileged families.
“This initiative has been crucial to sustaining more than 45,000 individuals across the Klang Valley since the MCO began, many of whom are single parents and senior citizens in the B40 community. Although we try to be hopeful that their daily earnings will pick up during the RMCO, this will not signify the end of our efforts,” says Mohd Ezzuandi Ngadi, a representative of volunteer-based soup kitchen Dapur Jalanan KL.
Donations and support to the cause are still open for those wishing to contribute. Every RM60 donated can support a family of five for two weeks with basic food supplies consisting rice, eggs, flour, cooking oil, potatoes, canned food and other essentials.
“The support and commitment we have received over the last two months from all of our partners, donors and volunteers have shown us the positive impact we can achieve when Malaysians come together to be a part of something much bigger than themselves,” says Elise Arya Chen, Tenaganita’s programme officer. “Even with the RMCO in place, marginalised communities in Malaysia will continue to face challenges. While this initiative was potentially going to conclude in the upcoming phase, we will remain committed to this food aid programme to meet the communities’ needs as long as we have the means to do so,” she adds.
“In the spirit of #KitaJagaKita, we at BMW Group Malaysia are humbled to be part of this mission with Tenaganita, Refuge for the Refugees, Liga Rakyat Demokratik and Dapur Jalanan KL to provide aid to the underpriviliged during these challenging times. We continue to be inspired by all the volunteers who actively assist families who were affected by the troubled times and we hope we made a difference in terms of easing the burden and the challenges in the communities,” says Sashi Ambi, BMW Group Malaysia’s head of corporate communications.
Those wishing to make a donation can do so to the following bank details or in the link below:
CIMB: Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Pelarian
Account No.: 8000499285
Reference: MCO Grocery Aid
