Siemens Malaysia Donates 163 Used Laptops to Underprivileged Students

Siemens Malaysia has donated 163 used laptops to the Computer Empowerment Program (CEP), an initiative by Medical Awareness Camp Outreach (MACO). This initiative equips underprivileged students in the B40 group with used laptops for their home-based learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every students’ learning journey. Different socioeconomic status also gives rise to learning inequality. According to the Ministry of Education (MOE), around 900,000 students lack the devices needed for e-learning, causing them to lose access to the education they deserve.

To help with the situation, MACO, a non-profit organization started by a group of specialist doctors and non-medical volunteers, launched CEP to enable more students to get access to digital devices for their e-learning during the nationwide MOE-implemented home-based teaching and learning (PdPR). MACO collects used laptops and its volunteers refurbish them into working condition before donating to the students.

“The pandemic and Movement Control Order has affected Malaysians in many different ways. At Siemens, we want to extend practical help to fellow Malaysians. We believe this joint effort with MACO will make a difference, not only in students’ education but also for the environment as it gives the laptops a second life,” said Adam Yee, President and CEO of Siemens Malaysia. “In addition to the company’s donation, we asked our employees to donate personal laptops that they are no longer using. It’s an opportunity for them to personally contribute to society and practise the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”    

Besides laptops, Siemens Malaysia also donated desktop units and monitors. To-date, 105 used laptops have been given to students from the following schools:   
● SMJK Chong Hwa (25 units)
● SMJK Katholik PJ (20 units)
● SMKL Methodist Sentul (10 units)
● Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur (MBS) (10 units)
● SMK (P) PUDU (15 units)
● SJK (C) Kwong Hon (15 units)
● SMK (L) Bukit Bintang (Bukit Bintang Boys Secondary School) (10 units)  

The remaining donated units will be distributed in due time.

MACO spokesperson Datin Dr. Low Pek See commented, “The goal of MACO has always been to extend help to whoever needs it and to touch lives. We believe that we can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”  

“We at Siemens and MACO would like to encourage everyone to be part of this initiative, to help more students get equal access to education, especially during this pandemic. We would like to call for more people to donate to the Computer Empowerment Program (CEP),” added Adam.  

Interested donors can contact the President of MACO, Dr. Toh Cheng Teik at tohchengteik@gmail.com.