Proton presents Exora to MAC and PEYATIM

As part of its initiative to bring its brand closer to the community, PROTON has handed over its popular Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the Exora, as contributions to two prominent local Non-Government Organisations (NGO), the Malaysian AIDS council (MAC) and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim Malaysia (PEYATIM).

The Exoras were presented by Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar Sdn. Bhd., Encik Ahmad Suhaimi Mohamad Anuar to the President of MAC, YBhg. Tan Sri Mohd Zaman Khan and President of PEYATIM, YM Dato’ Dr. Haji Tengku Mahmud Mansor during a handover ceremony at PROTON Centre of Excellence today.

“PROTON would not be where we are today without the support of Malaysians, and as a national car company, we always want to contribute and give back to society. To be in partnership with both MAC and PEYATIM is an excellent platform for collaboration between our organizations that will surely benefit different sections of our community. They are among the two NGOs that have been working hard to help Malaysians for so many years and PROTON is certainly honoured to be able to lend them a helping hand in reaching out to our community," said Ahmad Suhaimi. Read more after the jump.

This is not the first time that PROTON has contributed its cars to be used for good causes. The national car company had previously handed over its cars to the National Heart Institute (IJN) Foundation, MERCY Malaysia, Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) and Yayasan Jantung Malaysia (YJM) among others, and was the official car provider for many international sporting events held in the country such as Le Tour de Langkawi and the Thomas Cup and Malaysian Open badminton championships.

"Whilst we are committed in improving all aspects of our company and our brand in-line with PROTON's brand promise ‘Committed To Be Better’, we also believe it is important that we contribute in good causes that will improve the lives of others. It is our hope that our association with the two NGOs will bring our brand closer to the community," added En. Izad Hj. Raya, PROTON Head of Group Communications. 

According to YBhg. Tan Sri Mohd Zaman Khan, President of MAC, the Proton Exora will be used to transport  MAC staff throughout the country so that activities such as talks on HIV and the prevention of AIDS, and distribution of goods and educational leaflets can be carried out.

"We truly appreciate PROTON’s contribution and we hope this collaboration (MAC and PROTON) will be a start to a good relationship from which we may be able to spread our message about AIDS to more people in this country," he explained.

MAC was established in 1992 to serve as an umbrella organization to support and coordinate the efforts of non-governmental and other organizations working on HIV and AIDS issues in Malaysia. MAC works in partnership with government agencies, the private sector and international organizations to ensure a committed and effective community-based response to the HIV epidemic.

President of PEYATIM, YM Dato’ Dr. Haji Tengku Mahmud Mansor also agreed that the move is a good start for future collaborations between PEYATIM and PROTON.

"Thank you to PROTON for this contribution. It has been 15 years since we received a van as contribution from the Royal Malaysian Customs to carry out our activities, so this Exora is something we really appreciate and it could not have come at a better time," he said.

According to Dato’ Dr. Haji Tengku Mahmud, the Exora will be used by PEYATIM volunteers to run its activities and visits to all orphanages across the country.

PEYATIM was established in 1990 to help orphanages by providing them with food, shelter, education and medical assistance, including 65 charity homes it manages that housed more than 4000 orphans. Besides that, PEYATIM has also established educational resource centers with free hostel facilities for the growth and development of poor and needy children. It also manages all other activities carried out by members of PEYATIM.