KUALA TERENGGANU, 2 December 2013 –Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) in collaboration with the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) extended its reach to a disadvantaged community in Kuala Terengganu, Pertubuhan Komuniti Cakna Terengganu (CAKNA), with the donation of a 14-seater van in conjunction with the World AIDS Day celebrations.

CAKNA is a partner organisation of MAC, which is already collaborating with YSD to create awareness and push for advocacy on policies and matters pertaining to people living with HIV (PLHIV). YSD has committed RM870,000 to sponsor advocacy programmes in MAC over a three-year period.

The contribution by YSD to CAKNA, worth RM120,000, is also inclusive of fuel and maintenance costs of the vehicle for a year. This sponsorship will enable CAKNA to carry out meaningful prevention, treatment, care and support programmes for people living with HIV (PLHIV) across the vast area of Terengganu. They currently have a 22-year old van which is in bad shape and constantly requires repairs.

The new Nissan Urvan van was presented by YSD Governing Council member, Datin Paduka Zaitoon Dato’ Othman to MAC president Datuk Dr. Raj Karim during a special ceremony held at one of CAKNA Terengganu’s shelter homes.

CAKNA is the first non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Terengganu serving the interest of PLHIV.  Founded in 2010, CAKNA’s primary aim is to mitigate the negative impact of HIV for the people of Terengganu. The NGO works very closely with the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the Terengganu Health Department, Majlis Agama Islam & Istiadat Terengganu (MAIDAM) and other international development agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the various HIV prevention and support programmes.

CAKNA carries out Treatment, Care and Support programmes for the community of people infected, or affected by HIV and AIDS. They currently operate a hospital peer support programme for newly-diagnosed clients, and two half-way home facilities; one for single mothers and children living with HIV, and the other for men living with HIV.

Whilst receiving regular treatments, scheduled medical check-ups and prescriptions, CAKNA’s “clients” have actively been involved in providing emotional and moral support for newly-diagnosed clients through the Hospital Peer Support Programme. Thus far, 300 PLHIV have benefited from this programme. Meanwhile, the half-way home which provides a 6-month transitional shelter to help with the search for permanent accommodation and employment opportunities for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, has helped to increase their self-esteem and improve their quality of life through life skills training, peer counseling and peer support.

“The van will be an important asset for CAKNA as they will now be able to carry out their HIV prevention and support programmes more effectively. Clients will also be able to attend scheduled medical appointments, receive treatments promptly, and even send their children to school,” Datin Paduka Zaitoon said.

This vehicle sponsorship is part of YSD’s own first major community development programme called ‘Sinar Harapan YSD’, which aims to provide sustainable assistance to deserving charitable homes. YSD hopes to assist homes registered with the Welfare Department with physical assistance like upgrading their premises or enhancing their facilities. YSD also assists in providing transportation as well as help with capacity building via management empowerment and skills training to help them live better lives. The assistance is also extended to unregistered homes to help them meet requirements set by the Welfare Department and to be registered under the Care Centres Act 1993. So far, a total of 58 welfare homes have benefited from YSD’s in-kind and monetary contributions under this programme.

Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) Governing Council ember Datin Paduka Zaitoon Dato’ Othman (second from right) presents Malaysian AIDS Council president Datuk Dr. Raj Karim with the mock key to the 14-seater van donated by the Foundation to Pertubuhan Komuniti Cakna Terengganu (CAKNA), the only community based organisation providing HIV and AIDS related services in the state. CAKNA president Dr. Mustafa Che Omar (extreme left) and YSD Chief Executive Officer Puan Hajah Yatela Zainal Abidin (extreme right) look on.

“We are deeply humbled by YSD’s continued support for MAC and its support for the grassroots initiatives of our partner organisations such as CAKNA. The van will undeniably go a long way in improving access to life-saving HIV treatment and prevention services for Terengganu’s underserved communities, and take us one step closer to our goal of ‘Zero AIDS Related Deaths’, which is also the national theme of this year’s World AIDS Day,” commented Datuk Dr. Raj Karim, MAC President.

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), Tabung YSD for the underprivileged coronary patients in collaboration with the University Malaya Medical Centre, Hospis Malaysia, Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK), the Cancer Advocacy Society of Malaysia (EMPOWERED) and Pertubuhan Pembangunan Orang Buta Malaysia (PPOBM) among others.

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Yayasan Sime Darby

Yayasan Sime Darby, or Sime Darby Foundation, was established in 1982 and is the primary driver of Sime Darby Berhad’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

The objectives of Yayasan Sime Darby are supported by its five pillars, namely: community development; education; youth, sports and recreation; arts and culture; conservation of the environment and protection of ecosystems. While led by independent members of a Governing Council and managed by a dedicated team, Yayasan Sime Darby works closely with the Sime Darby Group, in areas of mutual interest.

Since its inception, Yayasan Sime Darby has awarded scholarships worth RM201 million to 2,187 students both in and outside Malaysia. It is supporting long term research projects of significant scientific value like the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) project which is the world’s largest ecological project, a joint effort with the Royal Society (The UK and Commonwealth Academy of Science). Yayasan Sime Darby is also actively involved in the development and improvement of sports in Malaysia namely lawn bowling, cricket, tennis and golf. Under its community development pillar, Yayasan Sime Darby supports initiatives to promote the well-being of disadvantaged people irrespective of race, culture, religion, creed or gender and works with established organisations to promote the development of arts and culture.

Malaysian AIDS Council

The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) was established in 1992 to serve as an umbrella organisation to support and coordinate the efforts of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working on HIV/AIDS issues in Malaysia. MAC works in close partnership with government agencies, the private sector and international organisations, to ensure a committed and effective NGO-led response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  In addition to providing nationwide coverage of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support services, MAC and its Partner Organisations serve as the common voice for communities most affected by HIV/AIDS in the country. Learn more at www.mac.org.my