Melaka, 21 March 2016 – In line with its ongoing commitment to give back to the communities it operates in, Courts Malaysia recently joined efforts with the State Malaysian Civil Defence Department (Jabatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia, JPAM) to assist their volunteers who were affected by the recent floods, which occurred last month during the heavy monsoon downpour.
Over 3,020 victims were left stranded in the Melaka Tengah district after their homes were badly damaged by the flood, resulting in families having to seek shelter in six evacuation centres in the historic town. The homes of the families of the volunteers were the worst to be hit by the disaster, as they did not only lose their homes but also their personal belongings and household items including furniture and electronics, which were damaged by the flood.
“As the leading electrical, IT and furniture retailer in the country, Courts Malaysia remains dedicated to helping the communities we operate in and doing the best we possibly can for the families in need during this time of distress. By providing them with basic household necessities, we hope we have been able to make a difference in the lives of these families, easing their burdens so that they can get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” said Ms. Low Bee Yin, Marketing Director of Courts Malaysia.
Major (PA) Kamarulsyah Muslim, Deputy Director of Jabatan Pertahanan Awam, Melaka commented, “The flood has extensively damaged the homes, leaving the families affected both physical and emotionally. It was sad to see our volunteers, who have dedicated their lives to saving others, also suffer from this mishap. The least we can do for them and their families are to help them rebuild their lives in any way we can and we are thankful to have Courts Malaysia extend their contribution to our volunteers.”
Courts Malaysia presented a total of up to RM10,000 worth of basic household necessities to each of the families; comprising gas stoves, fridges, washing machines, rice cookers, blenders, irons, pillows, mattresses and wardrobes.
“We are extremely grateful for the help that we have received from Courts and JPAM who have reached out to us during these difficult times for our family. The rising waters from the flood destroyed all our furniture and electronic items in our home in a matter of seconds; we only managed to safely escape with the children’s textbooks and some of our personal documents. I only earn a salary that is only sufficient for our monthly expenses, which would not have been sufficient for us to replace all the items that we lost in the flood,” said Ismail bin Zulkefli Ahmad, one of the victims of the flood.
This initiative builds on Courts’ year-long community outreach programme, Rumah Amal Courts, which the company launched last year in conjunction with its 28th anniversary in Malaysia. Partnering with iM4U – a non-profit organisation that helps to nurture and cultivate volunteerism amongst Malaysian youth through nation-building activities that can benefit communities and social groups – the company was able to provide RM230,000 in basic household necessities and electrical items to over 30 charity homes and families. This year, Courts aims to extend assistance to 50 more homes across the nation, further reaching out to the underprivileged and needy.
