McDonald’s
assists the underprivileged community of the state in various areas
 |
McDonald’s Malaysia contributed more than RM300,000
through various initiatives announced at a community event today. The
initiatives are aimed at assisting the underprivileged and hardcore poor
community in Negeri Sembilan.
The initiatives announced today include zakat
contribution, appointment of individuals from the asnaf community for
McDonald’s apprenticeship programme, and presentation of ‘Back-to-School’ packs
– in which over 1,000 primary school children from urban poor families were
recipients of school packs in preparation for the 2019 school year session.
Collaborative
effort between governments and businesses
Negeri Sembilan State Secretary Dr Razali bin
Ab. Malik was the guest of honour at the community event.
“The state government of Negeri Sembilan
welcomes programmes like this. This community event held by McDonald’s Malaysia
and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) contributes to the state
government’s vision in supporting the welfare of its people, in line with our
theme of Bersih. Muafakat. Sejahtera,”
said Dr Razali.
“The close collaboration between the corporate
sector and the state government is pivotal in our efforts to achieve a balanced
socioeconomic state on both country and state levels. The participation of the
corporate sector in the front lines, working hand-in-hand with the government
in ensuring the welfare of the people, and in this case, urban poor primary school
children, is a reflection that all parties are concerned in coming together and
sharing the responsibility to increase the welfare of the community as a
whole,” added Dr Razali.
According to Dr Razali, efforts to address
issues faced by the underprivileged community is always more effective when
governments, businesses, and communities work collaboratively.
McDonald’s
zakat contribution
McDonald’s Malaysia fulfilled its zakat
obligation today to the state of Negeri Sembilan. According to Azmir, the
company has been contributing zakat since last year, as it is a business entity
which is 100% owned by Muslims.
“As a business entity 100% owned by Muslims,
it is a religious commitment for us to pay zakat when it is due. Zakat is a
vehicle to alleviate poverty and is part of our conviction as Muslims,” said Managing
Director and Local Operating Partner of McDonald’s Malaysia, Azmir Jaafar.
McDonald’s
Malaysia’s apprenticeship programme
The McDonald’s apprenticeship programme is
part of the National Dual Training System (SLDN) under the auspices of the
Ministry of Human Resource. The SLDN accreditation by the Department of Skills
Development (DSD) is one of the efforts by the quick-service restaurant to
elevate the standards of the company’s human capital development as well as to
nurture new talents.
“We are excited to welcome individuals from
the state of Negeri Sembilan to our apprenticeship programme. This is an
18-month training period where the apprentices will receive a combined set of
practical training and theoretical lessons. As soon as these apprentices pass
the assessment and final test of the programme, they will be qualified for
employment at McDonald’s restaurants. On top of qualifying them a job at
McDonald’s, the programme will also enable them to acquire lifelong skills,”
said Azmir.
Besides
benefitting from full sponsorship of the training programme, each apprentice is
also given a monthly living allowance of RM1,200, medical and insurance
benefits, as well as free meals.
“Back-to-School” Programme
The
event held at McDonald’s Seremban Drive-Thru 2 also saw the handover of school
packs, which is an annual “Back-to-School” programme spearheaded by McDonald’s
Malaysia and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in collaboration with the
Ministry of Education Malaysia. More than 1,000 primary school children were
recipients of the school packs during the event.
The “Back-to-School” programme is supported by
franchisees and business partners, and is aimed at providing more than 17,000
urban poor primary school children nationwide with new sets of school attire
for the 2019 school year session. Each child will receive 1 set of school
uniform, 1 pair of school shoes, and a school bag. Total expected value of
contribution under the “Back-to-School” programme this year exceeds RM1.7
million.
According to Azmir, the “Back-to-School”
programme holds a special place in the heart of both McDonald’s and RMHC
because it provides assistance to primary school children from underprivileged
and urban poor families.
“We sincerely hope that this will help
alleviate the financial burden of the families and motivate these children to
enter the new school year with confidence. This is important as they are our country’s
future leaders. Yesterday, we were privileged to have YB. Dr. Maszlee, Minister
of Education with us to officiate the programme,” added Azmir.
October Community Month also spans McDonald’s
restaurants nationwide giving back to their local communities through more than
170 programmes. Restaurant team members carried out month-long activities which
include taking children from orphanages and special needs homes for various
fun-filled trips to places like the petting zoo and butterfly farm; visits to
children’s hospital wards; spring cleaning orphanage homes ahead of the
Deepavali celebration; and hosting children at McDonald’s restaurants to
celebrate Children’s Day. McDonald’s staff at the head office have also been
doing their part by sprucing up two schools, participating in a blood donation
drive, and visiting paediatric wards in mid-October.
ABOUT
MCDONALD’S
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice
retailer with approximately 35,000 restaurants worldwide, serving more than 70
million customers daily in more than 100 countries. With 35 years of
presence in Malaysia, McDonald’s serves over 13.5 million customers a month at
more than 260 restaurants nationwide. McDonald’s employs more than 12,000
Malaysians in restaurants across the nation providing career, training and
development opportunities. For more information on McDonald’s, please visit
www.mcdonalds.com.my.
ABOUT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Malaysia was
established in 1990 as a non- profit organisation and is one of more than 300
RMHC Chapters worldwide. It aims to positively impact young lives in the areas
of health, education and welfare through its four core programs – Ronald
McDonald House (RMH), Ronald McDonald Sensory Room (RMSR), Gift of Smile (GOS),
and “Back-to-School” programme. For more information, please visit
www.rmhc-malaysia.my.
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