MB Inc Steps Forward to Assist Media Members Who Are Hard Hit By COVID-19 Pandemic

The current COVID-19 pandemic that is engulfing the world has seen people from various backgrounds and industries being affected and in need of help.

The implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) that was imposed to break the chain of viral infection has also affected many media personnel who are working as part-timers or stringers.

Concerned with the dire situation faced by such Perak media members, who are also considered as frontliners to bring first-hand news to the masses, the Perak Menteri Besar Corporation (MB Inc.) has come forward to provide assistance to lighten their financial burden.

MB Inc. Chief Executive Officer Anuar Zainal Abidin said, “We are aware of the hardships faced by these media practitioners who may have been overlooked to receive assistance thus far. As a government-linked company (GLC), this food aid is one of our initiatives to help Perakians who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning with our media friends, who are like our family members.”

The food aid donation was a joint initiative of MB Inc. and the Perak Media Sports and Welfare Club (Kelab Sukan dan Kebajikan Media Perak or KSKMP). 40 press members who are part-timers, on contract basis and alongside stringers benefitted from this programme.  

According to Anuar, this donation marked the beginning of the second phase of the aid programme. Between March and June, a total of 14,000 food care packs were donated. Besides basic food items, beneficiaries also received cash assistance as well as household electrical items, to ease their financial strain, during these uncertain times.

He added, “This sponsorship idea was mooted by Perak Menteri Besar YAB Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who wished to share part of the company’s profits with the community.

Meanwhile, KSKMP President Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali thanked MB Inc. for the collaboration in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

He said, “We wish to record our highest appreciation to MB Inc. for stepping forward to assist media practitioners, especially the hardest hit members, who have seen a drastic cut in their income. With this food aid, their financial constraints are alleviated for the coming two months with this contribution.”  

According to Rosli Mansor, despite facing difficulties, media personnel continue to be dedicated in carrying out their duties throughout the Movement Control Order period. Thus, media personnel are also part of the frontline staff, although this fact is often overlooked.

In this context, KSKMP acts as a coordinator to channel assistance from various parties to media members who are in need.

Event: Food Aid Donation by MB Inc. and KSKMP
Venue: Ipoh Echo Office, Ipoh Garden, Ipoh
Date: 9th Nov, 2020
Time: 4pm