Yayasan Sime Darby Governing Council Member Datin Paduka Zaitoon Dato’ Othman (four from left) hands over a mock cheque symbolising its contribution worth RM 870,000 to Malaysian AIDS Council President Datuk Dr. Raj Karim (centre) at the Malaysian AIDS Council secretariat, Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, June 20, 2013. The sponsorship will support Malaysian AIDS Council’s advocacy and policy development programmes for a three-year period beginning 2013. Photo credit: Malaysian AIDS Council.

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 June 2013 – Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have long played a vital role in improving the social development agenda of a nation. However, funding remains a major stumbling block for many NGOs who do not have the financial commitment from the government, leading to shortcomings in the implementation of programmes beneficial for its target audience.

Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) is proud to announce a collaboration with the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) to create awareness and push for advocacy on policies and matters pertaining to people living with HIV (PLHIV) with an RM870,000 sponsorship over a three-year period.

The sponsorship will pay for MAC’s manpower needs which will complement MAC’s continuous advocacy efforts through its Advocacy and Policy Programme.

The announcement on the sponsorship was made today at the MAC Secretariat Office in Sentul attended by YSD Governing Council member Datin Paduka Zaitoon Dato’ Othman, MAC President Datuk Dr Raj Karim, Malaysian AIDS Foundation Chairman Prof. Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman and stakeholders from government and non-governmental organisations.

MAC’s Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Bob Yusof also made an appearance much to the delight of the guests who were members of the PLHIV community – the main beneficiaries of YSD’s support. They also received goodie bags containing foodstuff from YSD.

Datin Paduka Zaitoon, in her speech, commended MAC for its efforts to empower PLHIV, and their care givers, to live their lives to the fullest with dignity and pride.

“This is the first time a corporate body is stepping in to sponsor MAC’s Secretariat expenses. The sponsorship is a timely one as the burden of domestic HIV spending continues to multiply over the years, causing MAC to face challenges to sustain its own workforce.

“The human touch is undeniable as it is an important element of social work. Besides being the front-liners in the battle to reduce HIV transmissions in the country through awareness and advocacy programmes, MAC’s social workers provide compassion to those affected by the disease. This will give them the confidence and self-determination to rise above the challenges brought on by the stigma of living with HIV as many PLHIV also come from very disadvantaged backgrounds,” she said.

“With the sponsorship, YSD hopes to contribute to the well-being of PLHIV in Malaysia by maintaining and improving an enabling environment for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. At the same time we are empowering the community to voice out their rights to access and availability of care, support and social impact mitigation programmes for themselves and others who are affected,” Datin Paduka Zaitoon added.

Datuk Dr Raj meanwhile said YSD’s timely support for MAC would complement the national HIV response towards attaining socio-health development goals and ultimately contribute to positive community development.

“YSD’s sponsorship could not have come at a more critical juncture. When so much progress has been achieved in turning the tide on new HIV infections and increasing access to HIV treatment and care, advocacy needs to take centre stage to ensure that our responses are sustainable, inclusive, evidence-informed and high-impact. We can’t afford to decelerate our efforts. Therefore, we are immensely grateful to YSD for this grant,” said Datuk Dr Raj.

Some of the key milestones in advocacy achieved by MAC include improving HIV workplace policies, particularly in the private sector, which would go a long way towards the formulation of solid strategies in countering stigma and discriminatory practices against employees living with HIV. Despite the challenges faced, the initiatives have borne fruit with corporate citizens, including YSD, coming forward to participate in HIV/AIDS-related CSR activities.

MAC also received the endorsement of the Department of Safety and Health under the Ministry of Human Resources, which is also on board as a partner, in implementing the Code of Practice on Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS at the Workplace. MAC is now working with potential partners towards expanding the Code of Practice and converting it into a policy.

Furthermore, as a result of MAC’s continuous advocacy, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has broadened the Health Withdrawal Scheme to include AIDS. EPF contributors living with HIV and in need of treatment for AIDS may now benefit from this broadened scheme.

YSD deems it crucial to lend support for MAC’s advocacy programmes as it is confident the organisation will continue to bring about positive change to PLHIV in Malaysia, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, who are at a severe disadvantage in many areas of their lives compared to those without the disease.

As a caring corporate citizen, the foundation holds to the ideology of extending a helping hand to those in need in any way possible.

YSD also supports other organisations and initiatives under its community development pillar such as the Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF), Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Tabung Leukemia YSD, the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) and Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK) among others.