PETALING JAYA – The usual annual celebration was turned into a flood relief project themed “Together We Care” to raise funds and basic necessities for the people affected by the floods.
The Mutiara Damansara Commercial Centre (MDCC), comprising the Curve, eCurve and IPC Shopping Centre, changed the New Year’s Eve celebration program with less than 36 hours to go in its celebration.
The usual annual celebration was turned into a flood relief project themed “Together We Care” to raise funds and basic necessities for the people affected by the floods.
More than RM450,000 was raised during the fund drive that took place from 6 pm onwards.
Ikano Retail Asia donated RM150,000 to Mercy Malaysia which has set up its flood relief fund to provide aid to flood victims.
Boustead Holdings Berhad donated RM100,000 to Mercy Malaysia while Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) contributed RM100,000 to the National Disaster Relief Fund and another RM100,000 to Yayasan Tun Hussein Onn.
The site of what was to be the street carnival was transformed into a collection zone with stations set up to receive non-cash items such as bottled drinking water, biscuits, baby products like liquid milk, diapers and wet wipers.
Mercy Malaysia volunteers went around with donation boxes for the public who would like to donate for cash.
“The event was a true reflection of unity and the spirit of caring and love for fellow Malaysians who are going through some tough times,” said Evelyn Tan, centre manager for IPC Shopping Centre, owned and operated by Ikano Retail Asia.
The New Year Eve Run and the concert took place as scheduled but with some changes. The street party and the fireworks were cancelled.
Some 2,000 runners took part in the run which had been renamed “New Year Eve Fund Run”.
The Charity Concert saw performers played a more sedate line-up of music as a dedication to the flood victims.
A moment of silence, instead of fireworks, was observed by revellers at countdown.
