Mcdonald S Malaysia Contributes Over Rm300 000 To The Underprivileged In Negeri Sembilan

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McDonald’s assists the underprivileged community of the state in various areas



McDonald’s Malaysia contributed more than RM300,000 through various initiatives announced at a community event today. The initiatives are aimed at assisting the underprivileged and hardcore poor community in Negeri Sembilan.

The initiatives announced today include zakat contribution, appointment of individuals from the asnaf community for McDonald’s apprenticeship programme, and presentation of ‘Back-to-School’ packs – in which over 1,000 primary school children from urban poor families were recipients of school packs in preparation for the 2019 school year session.

Collaborative effort between governments and businesses
Negeri Sembilan State Secretary Dr Razali bin Ab. Malik was the guest of honour at the community event.

“The state government of Negeri Sembilan welcomes programmes like this. This community event held by McDonald’s Malaysia and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) contributes to the state government’s vision in supporting the welfare of its people, in line with our theme of Bersih. Muafakat. Sejahtera,” said Dr Razali.

“The close collaboration between the corporate sector and the state government is pivotal in our efforts to achieve a balanced socioeconomic state on both country and state levels. The participation of the corporate sector in the front lines, working hand-in-hand with the government in ensuring the welfare of the people, and in this case, urban poor primary school children, is a reflection that all parties are concerned in coming together and sharing the responsibility to increase the welfare of the community as a whole,” added Dr Razali.

According to Dr Razali, efforts to address issues faced by the underprivileged community is always more effective when governments, businesses, and communities work collaboratively.

McDonald’s zakat contribution
McDonald’s Malaysia fulfilled its zakat obligation today to the state of Negeri Sembilan. According to Azmir, the company has been contributing zakat since last year, as it is a business entity which is 100% owned by Muslims.

“As a business entity 100% owned by Muslims, it is a religious commitment for us to pay zakat when it is due. Zakat is a vehicle to alleviate poverty and is part of our conviction as Muslims,” said Managing Director and Local Operating Partner of McDonald’s Malaysia, Azmir Jaafar.

McDonald’s Malaysia’s apprenticeship programme
The McDonald’s apprenticeship programme is part of the National Dual Training System (SLDN) under the auspices of the Ministry of Human Resource. The SLDN accreditation by the Department of Skills Development (DSD) is one of the efforts by the quick-service restaurant to elevate the standards of the company’s human capital development as well as to nurture new talents.

“We are excited to welcome individuals from the state of Negeri Sembilan to our apprenticeship programme. This is an 18-month training period where the apprentices will receive a combined set of practical training and theoretical lessons. As soon as these apprentices pass the assessment and final test of the programme, they will be qualified for employment at McDonald’s restaurants. On top of qualifying them a job at McDonald’s, the programme will also enable them to acquire lifelong skills,” said Azmir.

Besides benefitting from full sponsorship of the training programme, each apprentice is also given a monthly living allowance of RM1,200, medical and insurance benefits, as well as free meals.

“Back-to-School” Programme
The event held at McDonald’s Seremban Drive-Thru 2 also saw the handover of school packs, which is an annual “Back-to-School” programme spearheaded by McDonald’s Malaysia and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Malaysia. More than 1,000 primary school children were recipients of the school packs during the event.
The “Back-to-School” programme is supported by franchisees and business partners, and is aimed at providing more than 17,000 urban poor primary school children nationwide with new sets of school attire for the 2019 school year session. Each child will receive 1 set of school uniform, 1 pair of school shoes, and a school bag. Total expected value of contribution under the “Back-to-School” programme this year exceeds RM1.7 million.

According to Azmir, the “Back-to-School” programme holds a special place in the heart of both McDonald’s and RMHC because it provides assistance to primary school children from underprivileged and urban poor families.

“We sincerely hope that this will help alleviate the financial burden of the families and motivate these children to enter the new school year with confidence. This is important as they are our country’s future leaders. Yesterday, we were privileged to have YB. Dr. Maszlee, Minister of Education with us to officiate the programme,” added Azmir.

October Community Month also spans McDonald’s restaurants nationwide giving back to their local communities through more than 170 programmes. Restaurant team members carried out month-long activities which include taking children from orphanages and special needs homes for various fun-filled trips to places like the petting zoo and butterfly farm; visits to children’s hospital wards; spring cleaning orphanage homes ahead of the Deepavali celebration; and hosting children at McDonald’s restaurants to celebrate Children’s Day. McDonald’s staff at the head office have also been doing their part by sprucing up two schools, participating in a blood donation drive, and visiting paediatric wards in mid-October.

ABOUT MCDONALD’S
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with approximately 35,000 restaurants worldwide, serving more than 70 million customers daily in more than 100 countries. With 35 years of presence in Malaysia, McDonald’s serves over 13.5 million customers a month at more than 260 restaurants nationwide. McDonald’s employs more than 12,000 Malaysians in restaurants across the nation providing career, training and development opportunities. For more information on McDonald’s, please visit www.mcdonalds.com.my.

ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Malaysia was established in 1990 as a non- profit organisation and is one of more than 300 RMHC Chapters worldwide. It aims to positively impact young lives in the areas of health, education and welfare through its four core programs – Ronald McDonald House (RMH), Ronald McDonald Sensory Room (RMSR), Gift of Smile (GOS), and “Back-to-School” programme. For more information, please visit www.rmhc-malaysia.my.

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