The Maybank Malaysian Open 2015 has launched a donation drive to help flood victims in the stricken region of Kelantan.
Spearheaded by the Maybank Foundation through its partnership with MERCY Malaysia, the initiative will take place during the tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, from February 5 – 8.
Kuala Krai and Manek Urai are the worst affected communities, and professional golfers Danny Chia and Mardan Mamat visited the former to see first-hand the devastation caused by the floods.
Chia said: “I have been following updates on the flood situation but to be here in the midst of it all is heart wrenching. In these times of need, we Malaysians should put our differences aside and come together to help fellow Malaysians.”
Mamat added: “I have never seen anything like this before. The conditions here are worse than I had expected. We have more than 100 professional golfers on the Asian Tour and we are going to come together to offer our support to the affected communities.”
The Maybank Foundation is one of Maybank’s pillars for Corporate Responsibility, aiming to expand the Group’s reach across the region, touching lives and empowering communities to build a better future both for present and future generations. The foundation recently donated RM400,000.00 for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of a surau affected by the floods in Kuala Krai as well as the Nasunugan Elementary School in Ormoc City which was affected by the Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
En. Shahril Azuar Jimin, CEO of Maybank Foundation said: “We are pleased to get the support of Maybank Malaysian Open, GlobalOne and the golfing community. Through this donation drive, we believe we will be able to make a positive impact on the lives of the affected communities in Kelantan. The support we have gained in these trying times have been overwhelming and it definitely aids the rehabilitation initiatives that are being carried out through MERCY Malaysia.”
In conjunction with Maybank’s tenth year as the title sponsor of the Malaysian Open, the tournament can expect to see more than 70,000 spectators and guests at the event. Spectators who are interested to do their bit for the affected flood victims can participate in the “Charity Putt Around the World” challenge. With a minimum donation of RM5, spectators can putt like a professional golfer with a specially designed putting challenge set on a ‘World Map’ concept. Money raised for this challenge will be contributed to the flood victims in Kelantan through the Maybank Foundation and MERCY Malaysia.
