Appreciate frontliners for their sacrifices in fight against COVID-19

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 -- Malaysians are generally caring, generous and compassionate people and this is more evident during the ongoing COVID-19 situation as more and more people have come forward to donate to the #MusaadahCOVID19 mission since it was mobilised yesterday.

The mission is aimed at helping asnaf (those eligible for tithes ) and frontliners who have been working tirelessly to curb the COVID-19 outbreak during the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) from March 18 to 31.

In fact, the challenging and daunting task awaiting these frontliners especially doctors, nurses, medical officers at the Health Ministry, who are categorised under the high-risk category after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.

Malaysians from various backgrounds involving individuals, companies through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme or non-governmental organisation (NGO) have chipped in for the #MusaadahCOVID19 campaign in order to assist the unsung heroes.          

Minister at the Prime Minister Department (JPM) Senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said agencies under JPM (Religious Affairs) have started the mission in Federal Territories and other identified states.

The Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) has allocated RM1 million from YaPEIM Trust Fund from the Food Bank 2.0 to ensure the success of #MusaadahCovid19 which begins next Monday.

In a statement today, YaPEIM said a total of 2,000 target group families will be identified across the nation to receive their financial aid and basic necessities in stages.

Responding to the mission, Puteri UMNO Movement also launched a mission to raise funds to assist the involved health workers as a token of appreciation to the frontliners civil servant in the fight against COVID-19.

Its exco member, Dr Masliha Harun was quoted as saying on the Umno-Online portal that the significant contribution is very meaningful to all the frontliners, and donations can be made through a Bank Kerjasama Rakyat account at 110071006115 under the Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu (UMNO) Puteri account. 

The Terengganu and Selangor state governments should also be commended for providing financial aid and incentives for the medical frontliners.

Through its Selangor Concerned Stimulus Package, the Selangor government announced that 6,000 medical frontliners in nine hospitals throughout the state will receive RM200 incentive each as a one-off payment soon.

A total of RM1.2 million allocated for this purpose as a gesture of appreciation for the services and sacrifices in the fight against the pandemic.

 Meanwhile, Terengganu has also provided measures to take care of the children of frontliners who have to work long hours, leaving their children at home as nurseries and daycare centres are closed.

In addition, the state government also welcomed any contribution and assistance to medical staff and COVID-19 patients and the aid would be coordinated through the management of Hulu Terengganu Hospital to prevent certain parties taking advantage of the ongoing situation. 

Hulu Terengganu Hospital in Kuala Berang is one of the quarantine stations declared through the Federal Government Gazette for patients under investigation for COVID-19.

-- BERNAMA