Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia recipient of 2015 Better Malaysia Foundation Personality award

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2015 Better Malaysia Foundation Personality award went to Dharma Master Cheng Yen of the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.
The award comes with a RM500,000 contribution to the foundation.
Sio Kee Hong, deputy chief executive officer of Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, said they were grateful and honoured to receive the contribution.
Berjaya founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan also pledged an additional US$19 million for the foundation to be given as and when he can.
"Dharma Master Cheng Yen has never travelled out of Taiwan. And if she ever does, Malaysia would be her first destination. Although she has never left Taiwan, Tzu Chi has presence in over five continents and has helped 90 countries in the world," he told theSun.
He said that while the group was giving aid during Typhoon Haiyan, Dharma Master Cheng Yen was in touch with them daily through online video conferencing.
"She was reminding us to be selfless and help as much as we could," Sio added.
In Malaysia, Tzu Chi has presence in almost all the states and has given help during disasters like the recent East Coast floods, provided support for the families of MH370, run recycling centres and also helps needy families.
"We have constantly helped families in need, either in cash or kind. We provide education grants for needy students especially Tamil school students where we pay for their school fees," Sio said.
He added that the foundation runs two free clinics, one in Klang and another in Pudu.
Another beneficiary at the Berjaya Founder's Day 2015 was Strategic Education Methods and Ongoing Advancement (SEMOA) which is involved in activities for the betterment of the community.
"We work among the needy students and provide the people with an opportunity at education," said its president, Cheah Kim Hock.
Earlier, Cheah was presented with a mock cheque for RM100,000 by Tan and chairman/CEO of Berjaya Corporation Berhad Datuk Seri Robin Tan.
Overall, 79 organisations received a total of RM2.8 million from Berjaya through the Better Malaysia Foundation, and Berjaya Cares Foundation.
Meanwhile, Hisham Hussein, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation honorary secretary, also shared his gratitude with the monetary assistance received to help underprivileged families living with HIV.
"We are most grateful to the Berjaya Cares Foundation for the assistance and funds given," Hisham said.
"We work with government hospitals nationwide because sometimes parents might not be doing well economically and of course the beneficiaries are recommended by specialists from government hospitals," Hisham added.
This year's contribution will be given to charity organisations that support community, education, health causes, local performing arts, environmental awareness, international humanitarian aid and animal causes.