Albukhary Group of companies join forces to counter COVID-19

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): The Albukhary Group of Companies have come together via their respective businesses to assist efforts in combating COVID-19 in the country.

Albukhary said through its relationship with Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely) (a strategic partner in Proton Holdings Bhd), the effort is further enhanced in sourcing medical equipment that are much needed by hospitals in Malaysia.

This effort is also coordinated through China’s Li Shufu Charity Foundation (LSCF) (Li Shufu is the founder of Geely) to contribute aid to various stakeholders in Malaysia.

Some of the aid has already been distributed beginning last week, Albukhary said, adding that the total aid is worth more than RM15 million in cash and kind.

It said DRB-HICOM Bhd and MMC Corporation Bhd led the group’s contribution with a cash donation of RM2 million to the Government’s Tabung COVID-19, which was presented to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on March 24.

"Apart from that, various companies within the Albukhary Group have come forward to provide a variety of aid, including medical equipment (ventilators, PPEs and the like) to the Ministry of Health (MoH), as well as meals and food to government hospitals, media frontliners and university students.

“The group also loaned Proton X70 SUVs to the MoH to ferry healthcare personnel; and high-range drones to the Armed Forces for monitoring and surveillance purposes,” it said in a statement yesterday.

It said the LSCF was set-up in 2006 by the founder and chairman of China’s Geely Li Shufu.

Geely became a strategic partner in PROTON in 2018 when they acquired a 49.9 percent stake from DRB-HICOM.

Globally, the LSCF has extended medical equipment to Europe to assist the region’s own war against COVID-19.

Geely has a huge presence in Europe via its ownership of Sweden’s Volvo Cars, UK carmaker Lotus and London Electric Vehicle Company (or better known as London Taxi).

"For Malaysia, the LSCF and Geely are sourcing to deliver ventilators for the MoH at its hospitals across the country. These ventilators are expected to arrive in mid-April, along with other gear such as medical protective clothing, protective face goggles, as well as medical face masks," the statement said.

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