When the Government implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, those affected the most are certainly the B40 group.

With the closure of various sectors except those categorised as essentials, many have lost their source of income, especially those who depend on daily wages. Some have lost their jobs altogether.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is so great that the Government is forced to extend the MCO until April 14, 2020. There is a growing concern whether they could survive even though there was some relief when the Economic Stimulus Package was announced.

Recognising the hardships faced by these people and as part of humanitarian and social responsibility, FGV had launched the FGV Food Relief Bag (FGV FReB) programme by providing 13,000 bags containing FGV Group’s products such as SAJI Cooking Oil, PRAI Sugar, SAJI Mountain Salt, SAJI Instant Noodles, SAJI Creamers, SAJI Chili Sauce and rice.

The first 3,000 bags of food aid distributed through the cooperation with established NGOs such as the Ibn Sina Malaysia Charity Organisation (PAPISMA) of the Selangor Division, the Islamic Welfare Organisation (PERKIM) of the Kapar Division, Selangor and the Asnaf Economic Task Force (TERAS) beginning March 26.

For the Perkim Kapar area, 1,000 FGV FReB bags have been distributed to the families of the Kariah Masjid Umariah Lama Kampung Perepat, Surau Nurul Iman Kampung Perepat, Kawasan Rukun Tetangga Taman Klang Perdana Kg Sementa, Taman Sungai Kapar Indah, Surau Dinus Saadah Taman Seri Perepat as well as Chinese and Indian Muslim converts as well as natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

TERAS had distributed 1,000 relief bags to the Komuniti Shah Alam, Kariah Masjid Klang, Kariah Masjid Hulu Langat dan Apartment Sri Nuang, Seksyen U11 Shah Alam while PAPISMA had distributed 1,000 relief bags to the needy locals in the Sepang area.

A total of 10,000 FGV FReB bags were distributed in collaboration with the Kementerian Perusahaaan Perladangan dan Komoditi (MPIC) and Persatuan Minyak Sawit Malaysia (MPOA) to Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. The recipients include Felda Teloi Timor and Felda Teloi Kanan in Kedah, Felda Chiku and Felda Aring in Kelantan, Felda Kerteh, Felda Jerangau, Felda Neram, Felda Cherul, Felda Seberang Tayu, Felda Bukit Bading, Felda Jerangau Barat, Felda Mengkawan, Felda Tersat, Ladang Felda Chador, Felda Kg. Chalok Rahmat, Felda Selasih, Felda Chalok Barat and Felda Tenang in Terengganu, while distribution in Pahang was made through the Social Welfare Department in Bentong.

FReB was mobilised internally with the involvement of all sectors of the Group; Plantation, Logistics and Sugar. In the spirit of PRIDE, the efforts to collect and deliver goods were carried out by the staff of Delima Oil Products, MSM Malaysia, FGV Transport in collaboration with FGV Security Services while its coordination was managed by corporate headquarters.

Special thanks and appreciation to the drivers and truck drivers who were tirelessly on the move sending the food relief bags to the specified locations and helping to unload boxes of the goods.

As the saying goes, “half a loaf is better than none. it is hoped that this little help will go a long way to bless not only the recipients but to all FGVians as well.