PETALING JAYA, 11 July 2019 – McDonald’s Malaysia and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC Malaysia) were both celebrated for their inspiring efforts in the socio-economic transformation of Malaysia at the CSR Malaysia Awards 2019.

From unprecendented initiatives in honouring teachers to providing aid in the form of healthcare, education and welfare to underprivileged children, McDonald’s Malaysia and RMHC Malaysia were given due recognition during the award ceremony which was graced by YB Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. 

For the second consecutive year , McDonald’s Malaysia bagged the Company of the Year Award in the Quick Service category. The victory was in recognition of McDonald’s Malaysia’s core CSR engagements, namely the McDonald’s Teachers’ Programme 2018 and McDonald’s Community Month which is dedicated to holding engagements for underprivilidged children.

McDonald’s Malaysia believes in a future where children can excel as the leaders of tomorrow. Seeing that teachers are the initial touchpoints to these young minds, McDonald’s stresses its commitment to pay tribute to and honour these educators. As such, the deserving recognition for teachers in educating, guiding and nurturing tomorrow’s generation was the catalyst for its Teachers’ Programme. 

In this regard, McDonald’s Malaysia is the pioneer in driving initiatives which celebrate teachers who go beyond the call of duty to develop and nurture our children. With strong support from the Ministry of Education and a goal to honour the nation’s best, the programme last year impacted close to 19,000 teachers with approximately RM1.6 million in sponsorship and contribution value invested.

McDonald’s Teachers’ Programme 2018 comprises Anugerah Guru Inspirasi McDonald’s, motivational seminars conducted by renowned motivator Dato’ Dr. Haji Mohd Fadzilah Kamsah, and hosting Teachers’ Day parties at McDonald’s restaurants. 

Anugerah Guru Inspirasi McDonald’s 2018 recognises teachers who go the extra mile in educating and nurturing their students and making a difference in society. Nominations are submitted by students, parents and fellow teachers, highlighting the lengths that these inspiring teachers go to ensure a brighter future for the young. 

Nominations for last year’s Anugerah Guru Inspirasi McDonald’s grew from 1,000 in 2017 to 3,000 entries in 2018, a testament to the increasing support and recognition from the public for the award. 

The motivational seminars in conjunction with Teachers’ Day were held at 10 venues nationwide, benefiting approximately 5,000 teachers in an effort to motivate them to continue their commitment to teach and guide their students. 

Meanwhile, the McDonald’s Teachers’ Day celebrations in 2018 saw teachers being appreciated through games, photo sessions and refreshments at more than 270 McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. In total, more than 13,650 teachers were impacted through an investment of RM275,000. 

“We want Malaysians to recognise the passion and significant commitment that the teachers contribute in building the nation and we are glad to receive the encouraging response by Malaysians and the support lent by the Ministry of Education,” said Managing Director and Local Operating Partner of McDonald’s Malaysia, Azmir Jaafar. 

“Other than teachers, McDonald’s Malaysia also actively engages with local communities as part of our commitment to give back to society. Our Community Month in October 2018 saw a total sponsorship value of more than RM2.5 million impacting 27,000 deserving children,” said Azmir, who is also President of RHMC Malaysia. 

McDonald’s Community Month’s anchor initiative, the Back-to-School (BTS) programme, held in cooperation with RMHC Malaysia, provides primary school children from urban poor families with a BTS pack consisting of a set of school uniform, a pair of school shoes, socks and a school bag. In 2018, this programme had reached out to 17,000 primary school children, boosting their morale for the 2019 school term.

Additionally, McDonald’s Malaysia activated numerous CSR engagements via its restaurants in a bid to spread cheer and offer aid to surrounding communities. Among the engagements that benefited 10,000 children were taking orphans on trips to the zoo and recreation parks over the weekends.

McDonald’s crew also visited more than 50 hospitals across the country, bringing cheer to paediatric patients and their families. Gotong-royong events were held in 50 children’s homes to help spruce up their grounds in preparation for Deepavali. McDonald’s Community Month saw a strong finish with more than 50 Children’s Day celebrations held at McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. 

“CSR initiatives held by McDonald’s Malaysia and RMHC Malaysia in 2018 promote and support the aspiration that Corporate Malaysia should go beyond making a profit. Helping deserving members of the community and ensuring a better Malaysia for tomorrow guarantees a legacy that will always be remembered and cherished,” said CSR Malaysia Chairman Datuk R. Rajendran.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC Malaysia)

McDonald’s Malaysia’s charity of choice RMHC Malaysia was also recognised for their CSR excellence, receiving the CSR Leadership Award for Public Charity with its various initiatives focusing on the pillars of education, health and welfare targeted at deserving children and families. 

“RMHC recognises the importance of extending aid and welfare to the nation’s underprivileged children. Through support from the community as well as our business partners, we are able to organise unique programmes that do not only spread cheer and improve the lives of children, but actually fill in the gaps present in said community,” said Azmir. 

RMHC Malaysia’s premier initiative, the Ronald McDonald House, had recently opened its second house on the grounds of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan. Funds of RM4 million needed to complete construction of the home were collected in 2018, a joint effort by RMHC Malaysia and McDonald’s Malaysia. 

The home marks the second of its kind to open since the first one in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre back in 1999. The home aims to provide affordable accommodation for family members whose children are receiving treatment at the paediatric ward in Hospital USM. Approximately 20,000 patients seek treatment at the hospital every year. 

RMHC Malaysia also contributed towards the setting up of four Ronald McDonald Sensory Rooms in 2018 with a contribution of almost RM460K, bringing the total number of Sensory Rooms to 30 throughout Malaysia. The Sensory Rooms are purpose-built for children with special needs and learning disabilities to encourage maximum response towards the development of their cognitive skills and self-confidence.

The exclusive Gift of Smile programme under RMHC Malaysia’s health pillar saw the contribution of almost RM560K in 2018 to sponsor 70 successful cleft lip or palate surgeries. At the same time, RMHC Malaysia also initiated efforts to establish a surgical centre in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia through a collaboration with Hospital USM in Kelantan.