MAY-JUNE , 2022 | THE HEALTH

BY TENGKU DATUK SERI ZAFRUL AZIZ

WANT to thank Compassionate Care Foundation ( CCF ) and Protect & Save the Children Association ( PSC ) for inviting me to this fundraising dinner aptly themed “ Healing & Empowering Lives ”. I would also like to acknowledge the good work that both NGOs have done since their inception : CCF , in partnership with IR Care , provides complimentary molecular hydrogen therapy to help the underprivileged heal from their chronic diseases .

PSC , I was made to understand , is focused on protecting and healing the victims of child sexual abuse through education , awareness , case management and healing therapy .

The 12th Malaysia Plan ( 12MP ) has set out Malaysia ’ s strategic priorities to promote sustainable economic recovery and provide better social protection to vulnerable segments of society . Under the second theme of the 12MP , which is Strengthening Security , Wellbeing , and Inclusivity , one of the key game-changers to strengthen inclusivity and uplift the B40 and vulnerable groups is to address poverty holistically and increase the standard of living of the rakyat .

One key reason this is important is that those mired in poverty and stuck in a poor standard of living are more likely to compromise decent values to survive . And stress due to poverty could also lead to domestic violence and abuse .

Therefore , it is extremely important to alleviate the effects of poverty in society , even while we find ways to improve their ability to earn better incomes . And , in addressing poverty and its effects , the annual budget breathes life to the aspirations of the 12MP .

There are always pockets of society that may still not be captured in the government ’ s central database . And this is where partnerships with NGOs – with their strong ground network – is extremely crucial , particularly to identify those that fall outside the social safety net .

NGOs as the government ’ s partners in developing a kinder Malaysia

A few years ago , I raised funds for Make- A-Wish Foundation via a marathon I was running . Friends , family , and colleagues pledged to raise funds if I completed the Tokyo Marathon , which I did on Feb 28 , 2016 .

Together , we raised over RM200,000 for Make-a-Wish Foundation . What was most meaningful for me is what the Foundation stands for : making the wishes of children with critical illnesses come true .

One of the young children chosen had leukaemia . He was eight years old and his wish was to be an army officer for a day . So , using some of the funds raised , we took him to the Sg Besi airbase , kit him up in an army uniform , and pretended that he was our army general for a day .

The sense of happiness in that child ’ s eyes melted the hearts of the toughest army officers there on that day . It was an incredibly fulfilling experience for me , and after that I continued to raise funds for charity through the London , Boston and Chicago Marathons .

I am not recommending that we all run marathons to start raising funds for causes closest to our hearts . What I am saying is that there are so many ways we can help , and now that I am in the Ministry of Finance , on the policy-making side , we do appreciate suggestions and proposals on how best the Government can help in ensuring as many people as possible in our

Keluarga Malaysia are supported , and most importantly , enabled to heal , so they can thrive and lead their best lives .

And when we talk about charitable leadership , it is not just about championing obvious and popular causes . True leadership is about all of us caring for people who have been forgotten , or who have been discriminated against , or who have been subject to unspeakable violence , or must make difficult choices on a daily basis . To lend a voice to the voiceless and be the support to the helpless . That ’ s true leadership .

In terms of the cause championed by PSC , for example , many children who are victims of abuse are likely to suffer mental health in later life and are also likely to become abusers themselves . Many spend a lifetime trying to forget dark episodes of their childhood . Although the Government has provided an allocation for mental health , prevention is always better than cure , and this is where NGOs like PSC should be supported .

And it isn ’ t just kids that deserve love , protection , and stability . The underprivileged , particularly those suffering from chronic diseases , need such support , which is what CCF provides .

And I see in this ballroom tonight , faces of the people who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources to these two noble causes . I believe that the more that we help , the more compassion we are spreading , particularly among the younger generation , creating more opportunities to support their respective communities as future leaders .

Rebuilding Malaysia to be more socially resilient

Part of the MOF ’ s commitment to sustainable development and building resilience is to create a better , safer and more inclusive society for our children and the underprivileged . And while we have made significant progress , particularly in areas such as poverty eradication , public health and well-being , there is always room for improvement , which brings me to my next point .

In the last two years , MOF has begun quite a few reform initiatives to pave

In a world full of harshness and cruelty , having a soft heart and compassion is a mark of courage , not weakness . And having the courage to champion causes that are so difficult for people to talk about openly , let alone accept – like child sexual abuse and the sick underprivileged – requires even more courage and stronger hearts and minds .” the way for sustainable socio-economic progress . These include several ways in which the Government and NGOs can work better together in the future .

Firstly , through Budget 2022 , the MOF has also allocated an RM100-million matching grant for NGOs for programmes such as capacity building and tackling mental health issues through awareness programmes and after school education and online teaching . The MOF is also open to receiving proposals on allocations meant for other purposes for Budget 2023 .

Secondly , we have a CSR-related coordinated platform via the Government Linked Investment Companies ( GLIC ) and Government-Linked Companies ( GLCs ). Called GDRN , which stands for GLIC / GLC Demi Rakyat dan Negara , this aligns GLCs / GLICs ’ existing social impact contribution in three key areas which are ( i ) education , ( ii ) sustainable livelihood and well-being ( including environment ) and ( iii ) humanitarian response .

Thirdly , building a better and more resilient society is a shared responsibility . The MOF will soon start its Budget 2023 engagement process and I welcome proposals from NGOs such as PSC and CCF on how best to empower civil society organisations so that we can all do our part to create a better society .

In a world full of harshness and cruelty , having a soft heart and compassion is a mark of courage , not weakness . And having the courage to champion causes that are so difficult for people to talk about openly , let alone accept – like child sexual abuse and the sick underprivileged – requires even more courage and stronger hearts and minds .

Therefore , I urge all of you present here tonight , representing your organisations , to support NGOs like CCF and PSC generously . Because a nation ’ s economic progress is pointless if our vulnerable and children are not cared for and protected . — The Health

Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is Minister of Finance . He delivered a keynote address at the Healing & Empowering Lives Dinner in aid of Compassionate Care Foundation and Protect & Save the Children Association on April 1 , 2022 .