Northport and Shin Yang Support MRA’s Relief Mission to Sabah and Sarawak

PORT KLANG, 22 August 2021 – In ensuring that more people in Malaysia are getting the much-needed help during the COVID-19 pandemic, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd (“Northport”), a member of MMC Group and Shin Yang Shipping Corporation Berhad (“Shin Yang”), a member of Shin Yang Group jointly supported the Malaysian Relief Agency (“MRA”)’s relief mission to help the frontline healthcare workers and the communities affected by COVID-19 in Sabah and Sarawak.

More than 10 tonnes of supplies worth RM1.24 million consisting of medical equipment and food packs were successfully collected by MRA for this mission. The aid items were packed in three (3) containers and shipped to Kuching, Sibu, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau using Shin Yang’s shipping services via Northport. Under this joint corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, Northport provided support through the handling of the aid items at MRA’s warehouse in Petaling Jaya and at the destinations, as well as the provision of storage and port services at Northport’s container terminal. Meanwhile, Shin Yang, one of the main shipping lines providing shipping services between Port Klang and East Malaysian ports, supported the mission by providing three (3) containers as well as special slots for these containers in their vessels.

To mark the occasion, a simple flag-off ceremony was held at Northport on 21 August 2021. Present during the ceremony were Northport’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Azman Shah Mohd Yusof and MRA’s President, Dr. Mohd Daud Bin Sulaiman.

“This collaboration is a platform and an opportunity for Northport to stand together with our business partners to help those in need during this crisis. We are very pleased to offer our expertise and facilities to help organizations such as MRA in ensuring the success of this noble initiative,” commented Dato’ Azman.

“Shin Yang is very delighted to be part of this mission and to be able to go beyond our day-to-day business operations. We have been facilitating the trade between West and East Malaysia for many years now and we are grateful to offer our shipping services to move these relief supplies to help the frontliners and the communities impacted by COVID-19 in Sabah and Sarawak,” said Captain Ting Hien Liong, Chief Executive Officer of Shin Yang.

The supplies contributed by MRA donors for this mission consist of medical items and equipment including ICU beds and mattresses, ECG systems, ventilators, infusion pumps, syringe pumps, laryngoscope, face masks, personal protective equipment (“PPE”) and 500 packs of food items.

“As a non-profit humanitarian organization, MRA has limited capability and capacity to ship out relief assistance from our central base in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, collaboration with Northport and Shin Yang is necessary to ensure safe and timely delivery of humanitarian aid supplies, especially to destinations that require special logistics arrangements. We would like to thank Northport, Shin Yang and our corporate and individual donors especially The Edge COVID-19 Fund for their support and contribution towards this relief mission”, said Dr. Mohd Daud.

Recently, Malaysia has seen a resurgence in new COVID-19 cases. Even though the number of cases in the East Malaysian states is lower than the Klang Valley, Sabah and Sarawak are facing inadequate resources to contain the impact of the outbreak. In this current situation, logistical support is very crucial in ensuring efficient delivery of aid to the affected people.

Last year, Northport participated in a similar collaborative CSR programme by supporting a humanitarian aid mission to Wuhan, China together with Sinotrans Logistics (M) Sdn Bhd. Earlier this year, Northport had also organised a donation campaign among its employees to help the affected flood victims in several states in the country, and the donation was also channeled through MRA.

“Northport has always been very supportive towards humanitarian assistance initiatives as part of our continued commitment to help the society in need. As a responsible corporate organisation, we will continue to play our part through our CSR programmes as well as collaborative efforts with our business partners to support the people and the country as we battle this crisis. Let us pray for our frontliners and the affected communities to stay strong during this challenging time,” concluded Dato’ Azman.