SHAH ALAM, 2 April 2020 – For most parents, the first question that springs to mind when classes resume after the Movement Control Order (MCO) is: “Is my child’s school safe from the risk of Covid-2019 infection?”

Staying true to its purpose of Brewing for a Better Today and Tomorrow, Carlsberg Malaysia, through its flagship community engagement project the Top Ten Charity campaign, has pledged RM1.5 million in donations to assist hundreds of Chinese primary schools throughout Malaysia in restarting learning and curricular activities with confidence.

Beneficiary schools, which can be from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, will receive a donation of handheld thermometers to monitor students’ and teaching staff’s body temperatures upon entering the school compound, and full disinfection services at high-risk areas such as handrails, canteens, classrooms, washrooms, libraries, and laboratories when classes resume on 15 April.

Stefano Clini, Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia, said, “Over the last three decades, the Top Ten Charity campaign has transformed hundreds of schools and empowered the lives of tens of thousands of students through education funds raised via our annual charity concerts held across the country. This year, we are going the extra mile in meeting the immediate needs of vernacular schools by providing peace of mind to students and teachers via disinfection and preventative tools in light of the health and safety risks posed by the spread of Covid-2019.”

“This effort echoes the Carlsberg Group’s initiatives in response to the global Covid-2019 crisis including a RM60 million donation by the Carlsberg Foundation, the New Carlsberg Foundation and the Tuborg Foundation via extraordinary grants in support of scientific, economic and human efforts at a time when society is challenged by the epidemic, with recipients including three internationally-recognised coronavirus research teams,” Clini added.

Chinese primary schools are encouraged to apply as beneficiaries of this initiative via their headmasters, who can submit applications directly to the respective state presidents of the National Union of Heads of Schools Malaysia.

Applications must be submitted before the MCO is lifted on 15 April and Carlsberg’s contribution will prioritise schools within areas designated by the Government as Covid-2019 “red zones”.

Wong Shee Fatt, President of the National Union of Heads of Schools Malaysia, commented, “Together with its partners, Carlsberg Malaysia’s charitable contribution in providing thermometers and disinfection services to schools in need has the union’s full support and endorsement. Carlsberg’s initiative in working with and giving back to society is a great example of how businesses and individual benefactors can support vernacular education through charitable giving in these trying times, where every effort can contribute toward creating a safer, hygienic and worry-free learning environment for students.”

The Top Ten Charity campaign is Carlsberg Malaysia’s flagship corporate social responsibility initiative which has raised over RM547 million since its inception in 1987, benefitting more than 640 vernacular schools.

Acclaimed as Probably the Best Fundraising Platform for Chinese education, the campaign champions the development of Chinese education in Malaysia, benefiting thousands of students with better school infrastructure and sports facilities. Through charity concerts hosted by participating schools, the campaign rallies stakeholders such as alumni, parents and the local community in raising funds to elevate the quality of vernacular education and student welfare.

The campaign also holds two records in the Malaysia Book of Records as the longest-running Chinese charity concert with the highest funds raised.

For more information, potential applicants can contact Darren Boo of Carlsberg Malaysia at [email protected].