What started as a community effort to support education, Carlsberg Malaysia’s Top Ten Charity Campaign (Top Ten) has grown into the nation’s longest-running Chinese education charity fundraising platform.
Running since 1987, Top Ten has raised a total of RM601.8 million to support over 700 schools and educational institutions across Malaysia. The initiative focuses on improving school infrastructure, upgrading teaching and multipurpose facilities, and ensuring equitable access to quality education.
This November, the campaign will provide financial support for five vernacular schools in the Klang Valley, with a target of RM6.5 million for school building funds.
Participating schools include SJKC Yak Chee, Puchong; SJKC Bukit Tangga, Rawang; SJKC Chung Hua, Klang; SJKC On Pong 2, Ampang; and SJKC Ladang Regent, Elmina.
Beyond the five schools, this year’s campaign also extends support to broader education initiatives, with RM10,000 channelled to the Dong Zong Chinese Education Complex and Future Education Fund and RM50,000 supporting STEM education advancement for SJKT Ladang Dovenby in Sungai Siput, Perak.
At the campaign press conference, Carlsberg Malaysia managing director Stefano Clini said that collective community purpose has sustained the Top Ten Charity Campaign for nearly forty years.
He emphasized that while educational needs have evolved over the years – the core mission remains rooted in collective community support and Carlsberg’s corporate purpose of “Brewing For A Better Today and Tomorrow”.
“We are honoured to play a part in contributing back to the local communities we serve, recognising education as one of the most important foundations for growth,” he said at this year’s campaign press conference.
Clini said Malaysia’s economy has transition from agriculture to manufacturing and is now moving towards services and knowledge-industries.
“This makes education even more critical in ensuring local talents are future-ready to contribute to the country’s continued economic progress.
“More than the proceeds raised, Top Ten is about and ensuring quality education remains within reach and equipping the future workplace with the knowledge, skills and confidence to compete in the new-age economy amid AI disruption,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said: “The Top Ten Charity Campaign is the longest-running fundraising platform in Malaysia for our schools, and one of the most successful. Thank you so much for being with us over the past 39 years, and for your continued support. I look forward to more collaboration in the years to come, so that we can ensure our students continue to prosper in a good learning environment.”
Top Ten is a flagship community engagement project funded by Carlsberg Malaysia and jointly organised by two Chinese dailies. Running since 1987, proceeds collected by the schools will be channelled towards the enhancement of teaching facilities and multipurpose halls, infrastructure upgrades, auditorium development and educational equipment.
The campaign aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4: Quality Education) by helping create better learning environments for students and educators.
