CSR drive raises RM55,000 for Sabah flood victims

KOTA KINABALU: The worst-hit flood victims in Sabah will get some relief soon through funds raised by the McMillan Woods Global network through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

McMillan Woods Global had organised the fundraising drive for this cause via its McM Cares programme with a target of RM50,000 and ended up raising RM55,000 in donations.

McM Cares and McMillan Woods Global founder Datuk Seri Dr Raymond Liew said he heard about the devastation caused by floods in Sabah since Jan 18.

“The king tide around the west coast has created havoc since Jan 18, costing many villagers their homes and leaving them with nowhere to sleep,” he said.

“It was a heart-breaking sight,” he said, adding that some 700 people from 203 families in 223 villages were seeking temporary shelter at relief centres.

Liew said Penampang was the worst hit, while some sections of the roads in northern Kudat, Pitas, Tuaran, and Kota Belud were severely damaged.

Some roads in Kota Kinabalu, Pitas and Kudat had also been hit by landslides.

Liew said villagers were in desperate need of financial aid, as seen from videos and photos being widely circulated on social media.

He said a discussion was held with former chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong on ways to help the victims.

The McM Cares programme allowed the villagers to undertake repair works with the funds raised, he added.

Building materials such as lumber and nails were sourced directly from suppliers to avoid middleman costs and for accountability to donors, Liew said.

Any surplus from the funds would be used to buy food for the homeless or additional building materials, he added.

Liew hoped that more Malaysians, especially corporations, will come forward to provide aid not only to flood victims but to those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.

McMillan Woods Global is a network or association of independent local and regional firms of recognised qualified accountants and professional advisors.

TheStar.com.my, 11 February 2021 (Thursday)