MIRI: Like many other major corporate bodies, timber conglomerate Samling Group of Companies has stepped forward to supplement governmental efforts in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic by providing not only medical supplies, but also necessities to those badly affected.
“We ensure that medical items and essential goods reach where they are needed on time during this unprecedented period despite logistical issues in the early stage,” said Samling chief executive officer (CEO) Lawrence Chia in an interview via video conferencing recently with New Sarawak Tribune.
He was accompanied by chief operating officer, James Ho, and general manager for manpower acquisition, Thomas Apun.
He said during the critical period, they wanted to ensure that the materials arrived without difficulties or delays as many logistics companies in China and Malaysia had been forced to close their operations by their respective lockdowns.
“Our biggest concern when we first initiated this corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort was the movement of supplies. We wanted the move to be uninterrupted, and eventually we managed it,” Chia said.
Thanks to Samling’s wide global network, they managed to bring in tonnes of medical supplies from China on time and distributed it to more than a hundred government health facilities and clinics in Sarawak.
Huge bulks of essential goods were also distributed, not only to the needy in Miri city, but also those in remote areas such as in upper Baram and the central region such as Kapit and Belaga.
“It was not easy, but we kept going. Thanks to our founder Tan Sri Dr Yaw Teck Seng and his son Dato Seri Yaw Chee Ming’s strong support, we overcame all obstacles,” said Chia.
He therefore credited the success of the mission to the Yaw family.
“We were driven by the family. They really pushed the whole initiative,” Chia said.
Their first aid weighed 10 tonnes including two real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines worth more than RM400,000. They arrived in Miri from China in early April and have been donated to Miri Hospital.
“Samling is always looking for ways to make up for the shortage of much needed medical supplies in our hospitals,” said Chia, adding that they are doing everything to secure as much medical supplies as possible during this period.
Samling’s intention is very clear, which is to help the government fight the Covid-19 pandemic, supplement governmental efforts by donating medical supplies and essential goods to the needy.
“We have no budget limit for this purpose (CSR). We will go on as long as it takes because in everything we do, we always think of the needy. We don’t know how long this movement control order (MCO) will last,” Chia said.
Since the first stage of the MCO period, Samling’s staff members have been actively delivering food baskets to the needy not only in town, but also in remote areas where access to essential goods is very limited, said Ho.
Established in 1963 by Yaw Teck Seng, Samling business presence has crossed Malaysia’s borders to span the globe. As one of the country’s major timber companies, it has actively engaged in charitable events.
For example, in 2008, it formed the Yaw Teck Seng Foundation (YTSF) aimed to provide funds, grants, financial assistance and support for the establishment, enlargement or improvement of the country’s schools and higher learning institutions besides awarding scholarships to the poor.
The group has vowed to continue to help the state government, especially during this challenging times delivering supplies to medically vulnerable communities.
“We will work over the coming weeks to help minimise the progress of the pandemic,” Chia said.
